ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Subsidies

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost of UK agricultural subsidies and price support in areas which are not dependent on the Common Agricultural Policy in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Commodities not subject to a Common Organisation of the Market include potatoes, horsemeat, honey, coffee, alcohol, cork and vinegars derived from alcohol. UK subsidies or price support for these areas are negligible or non-existent.

Calf Passports

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what happens to male calves which are refused passports because the owner failed to register them within 27 days.

Alun Michael: In the first instance the animal's keeper has the right to appeal against the decision to refuse a passport if he thinks there are special or extenuating circumstances.
	If the appeal is unsuccessful, the animal may live out its life on the farm it is on. It may not be moved to other premises and it may not enter the food chain at the end of its life.
	If the keeper does not wish to keep the calf it may be moved under licence to a knacker's yard or other facility for destruction.

Milk Pricing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Office of Fair Trading's recent re-examination of the supermarkets' code, with specific reference to milk pricing.

Alun Michael: The report of the review by the Office of Fair Trading of the operation of the Supermarket Code of Practice was published on 20 February 2004. It made no reference to milk pricing which falls outside the scope of the Code.
	We welcome the publication of the report and the OFTs decision to undertake a focused compliance audit of the supermarkets' dealings with suppliers. We hope that this will provide a firm evidence base for future action.

European Landscape Convention

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress the Government are making with the European Landscape Convention; and when it will be (a) signed and (b) ratified.

Alun Michael: Defra has been considering with other interested Government Departments and agencies the possible costs and benefits to the UK of signing and ratifying the Council of Europe European Landscape Convention. No decision has yet been taken as to whether the UK will sign and ratify but I expect a decision to be made later this year.

Fisheries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the accuracy of assessments made by the (a) UK Government and (b) European Commission on the attributes of fish discarded by fishing vessels operating in UK waters.

Ben Bradshaw: These data are obtained by discard officers employed by the UK fisheries research agencies . They are collected in accordance with EC Regulation 1639/, which applies to all member states, and the precision levels of data relating to discards are set out in Chapter III E(1)c, H(1)e of that regulation. The European Commission makes use of the estimates made by member states, and may aggregate them when required.

Large Combustion Plants Directive

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how trading of sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides within the national emission reduction plan proposed by her Department for implementation of the Large Combustion Plants Directive would operate, with particular reference to the Commission's decision that trading of pollutant emissions will only be allowed where emissions fall below best available techniques.

Alun Michael: The general principles of an emissions trading scheme were set out in the National Emissions Reduction Plan submitted to the European Commission in November 2003. The plan is available on the Defra website. The details of any such scheme would be defined in close consultation with the potential participants depending on the Government's final decision on the UK's approach to implementing the Large Combustion Plants Directive.
	Plants within such a scheme would be able to trade allowances freely but would still have to comply, at all times, with all other relevant legislation, including the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive which requires the application of best available techniques.

Minor Highways and Byways (Vehicle Use)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with groups representing users of mechanically propelled vehicles in connection with plans to restrict their use of minor highways and byways; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what representations she has had from groups representing users of mechanically propelled vehicles regarding their use of minor highways and byways; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on plans to restrict the use of byways and minor highways by mechanically propelled vehicles.

Alun Michael: During the course of last year I met the Trail Riders Fellowship, the Land Access and Recreation Association, the Royal Automobile Club, the Byways and Bridleways Trust Council, and the Auto-Cycle Union last year to discuss the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on rights of way.
	The Government have subsequently published a consultation paper setting out its proposals for tackling the problems which can arise. So far 10 groups representing users of mechanically propelled vehicles have responded.
	The consultation period ends on 19 March. When I have had an opportunity to consider all the responses, I will invite representative groups to meet me to discuss the issues. We will announce the Government's intentions on the way ahead in due course.

Scotland/UK Concordats

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what amendments have been made to the Concordats between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government on co-ordination of European policy issues concerning agriculture; and what representations she has received from the Scottish Executive to amend the Concordats.

Alun Michael: There have been no amendments concerning agriculture made to any Concordats on co-ordination of European policy issues. Defra has not received any representations from the Scottish Executive to amend the Concordats.

Beekeeping

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of highly resistant varroa mites have been reported in the last 12 months in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of new cases of pyrethroid-resistant varroa mites reported in apiaries in England and Wales in the last 12 months is 59 and nine respectively. There have been no such cases reported in Scotland.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Commonwealth Games

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations were made by her Department to the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly concerning the selection of disabled sports for the 2006 Commonwealth Games; and whether she will make further representations on behalf of (a) bowls and (b) other excluded sports.

Richard Caborn: None. The programme for elite athletes with disabilities at the 2006 Games was decided by the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly following representations made by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Melbourne 2006 games committee. The General Assembly agreed to increase the number of disability events from 8 to 12 from a list of 17 submitted by the IPC.
	This Government are committed to promoting disability sport and appreciates the popularity of bowls in this country. However, the selection process was the sole responsibility of the General Assembly and it would be inappropriate for Ministers from this Department to attempt to intervene.
	The Federation believe that the selection by the General Assembly offers the widest range of opportunities—within a limited programme—for the majority of athletes with disabilities from across the Commonwealth.

Regional Museums

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to increase the funding of regional museums.

Estelle Morris: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's allocation of resources from Spending Review 2002 already includes a very significant increase in funding for regional museums, from £10 million in 2003–04 to £30 million in 2005–06. One of our aims is to use that funding, which underpins the Renaissance in the Regions programme, to lever in funding from other sources.
	Recently we have doubled our contribution to the joint DCMS/Wolfson museums and galleries improvement fund, to provide a total annual fund of £4 million, and have extended its coverage to regional museums with designated collections and to museums participating in Renaissance in the Regions. DCMS and the Department for Education and Skills are also investing £2.6 million in the current financial year in education and community projects carried out by partnerships of national and regional museums.
	In preparing the Departmental submission to the 2004 Spending Review, we will consider the needs of regional museums alongside other priorities and pressures during the 2005–08 period.

Television Reception

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she is taking to tackle problems caused to television reception as a consequence of transmissions by TETRA masts.

Estelle Morris: TETRA systems in the UK are licensed to operate on frequencies within the bands 380 to 385 MHz; 390 to 395 MHz; 410 to 430 MHz; 871 to 876 MHz and 916 to 921 MHz. Television broadcasting operates on channels outside these bands; within the range 470 to 862 MHz. Interference should not therefore occur to TV reception from TETRA transmissions provided that the TETRA systems are operating in accordance with their licence conditions and the standard of installation of the TV receiver including its aerial system are satisfactory.
	Ofcom, the independent regulator of communications is responsible for managing civil use of the radio spectrum including the investigation of legitimate reports of television and radio interference. Ofcom has published information on improving radio and TV reception to avoid interference, including specific advice on cases involving TETRA. In all such cases reported to Ofcom to date, the problems have been attributable to the performance of the consumers own TV aerial amplifiers which have been found to have a pass band wide enough to boost the TV signal and, inadvertently, the TETRA signals. In most cases a suitable filter between the amplifier and TV aerial will resolve the interference. Consumers in these cases have been advised to take up the problems with their suppliers.

SCOTLAND

Whisky

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings he has had with representatives of the Scottish whisky industry in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004.

Anne McGuire: The Secretary of State for Scotland met representatives from the Scotch Whisky Association twice in 2001 and 2002, once in 2003 and thus far, once in 2004.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefit Overpayments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the amount of overpayments made owing to official error in each social security benefit paid by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: The latest available information is in the table.
	
		Estimates of the amounts of overpayments due to official error in 2002–03 -- £ million
		
			 Benefit Official error overpayment 2002–03 
		
		
			 Income Support 140 
			 Minimum Income Guarantee 50 
			 Jobseekers Allowance 110 
			 Housing Benefit (see Note 2) 100 
			 Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance 43 
			 Long-Term Benefits (Retirement Pension, Widow's Benefit, and Bereavement Benefit) (see Note 3) 14 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are sample-based estimates and are subject to sampling error and other uncertainties.
	2. The reported figure for housing benefit relates only to the 85 per cent. of expenditure covered by the housing benefit review. It does not include an allowance for overpaid expenditure due to non-residence at address, a small part of which may be the result of official error.
	3. Official error on long-term benefits is a very low proportion of expenditure, and sample is a very small one which excludes some types of cases. The resulting estimate is the best available but is subject to considerable uncertainty.
	4. The figures for income support, minimum income guarantee, jobseeker's allowance and housing benefit have been published in national statistics publications which report on the Department's performance against Public Service Agreement targets to reduce fraud and error.
	5. Estimates are not available for official error in other benefits in 2002–03. Estimates of official error overpayments were published in reports on the benefit review exercises undertaken on disability living allowance, in 1997 and invalid care allowance (now called carer's allowance) in 1996. These out-of-date figures are not reliable indicators of the current level of official error in these benefits. A new review of disability living allowance will take place this year and provide an updated figure for that benefit.

Benefit Payments (Pensioners)

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioners he expects to be on means-tested benefits in 2005.

Malcolm Wicks: We estimate that 33 per cent. of individuals aged 60 years or older will be in receipt of either Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, or some combination of these benefits, in 2005.

Medical Assessments

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints he has received from hon. Members concerning disability living allowance and attendance allowance medical examinations in the areas covered by (a) Leeds, (b) Birmingham, (c) Manchester, (d) Newcastle, (e) Sutton, (f) Bootle, (g) Bristol, (h) Glasgow, (i) Wembley, (j) Edinburgh and (k) Cardiff disability benefit centres in the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: The numbers of complaints from hon. Members, recorded by the Medical Services National Customer Relations Team (NCRT), concerning disability living allowance and attendance allowance medical examinations in the last 12 months is 48. Numbers cannot be broken down by region and relate to inquiries from MPs to the Secretary of State and the Group Director of the DCD.
	Source:
	Medical Services National Customer Relations Team database, covering the period 1 March 2003 to 27 February 2004

Parliamentary Questions

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many days on average his Department took in Session 2002–03 to give a substantive answer to a parliamentary Question for Ordinary Written Answer; and what the greatest number of days taken to answer such a Question was.

Maria Eagle: The average number of working days is 12.6 and the greatest number of working days is 130. We are committed to providing hon. Members with timely and accurate replies to Parliamentary questions.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Parliamentary Questions have been tabled to his Department since 1 January 2003, broken down by (a) Ordinary Written and (b) Named Day; what percentage in respect of (a) were answered within 10 working days; and what percentage in respect of (b) were answered by the specified date.

Maria Eagle: During the period from 1 January 2003 to 31 January 2004 we answered 2,335 ordinary written questions, of which 65 per cent. were answered within 10 working days. During the same period we answered 463 named day questions, of which 66 per cent. were answered on the day specified and 90 per cent. within 10 working days. We are committed to providing hon. Members with timely and accurate replies to Parliamentary questions.

Pension Scheme Wind-ups

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the (a) total amount of money lost by pension holders in company schemes where that pension scheme has wound up after the failure of the company and (b) the number of people who have lost pension provision in such circumstances.

Malcolm Wicks: Estimating the value of pensions lost and the number of people affected due to scheme wind-up and company insolvency, is fraught with numerous difficulties. We do not have information that tells us whether a scheme wind-up is due to company insolvency. Nor do we have information at an aggregate level on the fund assets and liabilities of schemes winding-up.
	The extent of pensions lost depends on many different factors—such as the maturity of the scheme (that is, the age profile and retirement status of members), and the funding position before starting winding-up. The latter in turn is highly sensitive to investment decisions and conditions in the financial markets.
	Data is severely limited in these areas, and as a result the Government does not have reliable estimates of the amount of money lost or the number of people affected.

Pensions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on delays to processing entitlement to retirement pensions for the recently widowed.

Malcolm Wicks: Where pensioners are recently widowed, they may be entitled to have their pensions increased by virtue of the National Insurance contributions paid by their deceased spouses. The assessment of any entitlement to an increased pension is carried out by the National Pension Centre in Newcastle. While this assessment is being carried out, widows will continue to receive their own pensions and can also apply for interim payments to top this up.
	The National Pension Centre also deals with new claims for pensions from people who have previously been divorced or widowed, and changes of circumstances for over four million pensioners who have their pensions paid direct into a bank account.
	A recent build up of work in the Centre has been caused largely as a result of the Centre temporarily dealing with some work appropriate to the 26 Regional Pension Centres. As that work will return to the Regional Centres, and an additional 100 staff have been employed, the work at the National Pension Centre should be returned to normal levels by June. The number of cases outstanding where the pensioner has been recently bereaved has been reduced from over 20,000 at the end of December to just over 14,000 currently.

Pensions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what target has been set for the processing of entitlements to retirement pensions for the recently widowed; and whether this target is being met.

Malcolm Wicks: There is no target set specifically for the processing of entitlements to retirement pensions for the recently widowed. Where pensioners are recently widowed, they may be entitled to have their pensions increased by virtue of the National Insurance contributions paid by their deceased spouses. The assessment of any entitlement to an increased pension is carried out by the National Pension Centre in Newcastle.
	When notified that a pensioner has been recently widowed, The National Pension Centre will assess whether the bereaved spouse can have their own pension increased, based on the contribution payments of their deceased partner. The National Pension Centre aims to deal with 95 per cent. of such changes within 17 days. As at the end of December performance against this target for the year was at 90.6 per cent.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people above state pension age he estimates are not drawing a state retirement pension because they have deferred taking a state pension; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many (a) men and (b) women drawing state retirement pensions are receiving increments because they deferred drawing that pension beyond state pension age, broken down by the length of time for which that pension was deferred.

Malcolm Wicks: It is not possible to say exactly how many people are deferring their State Pension at a single point in time because it is not necessary to inform the Department for Work and Pensions of an intention to defer.
	However, estimates from the Government Actuary's Department suggest that approximately 120,000 pensioners in total are not drawing their state pension at the moment.
	Information on current pensioners who have deferred their pension is not available in the form requested, but there are currently around 1.14 million pensioners in total with increments, of whom 893,000 are women. These figures include a small number of people who have inherited increments from their partner's contribution record and will have not actually deferred retirement themselves.

WALES

Former Departmental Officials

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which former officials of the Department have asked for permission to join (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst & Young and (d) KPMG.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office has been staffed entirely by secondees from other Government Departments who would need to seek any necessary permission from their parent Department.

New Hospitals

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the value of the capital expenditure on new hospitals built in Wales is in the last five years for which records are available.

Don Touhig: Capital expenditure for building new hospitals in Wales comes from different sources that are not identified in central recording systems as exclusively for building new hospitals.
	The following table contains information on the total value of capital expenditure on the NHS in Wales for the last five years.
	
		
			 Financial year £ million 
		
		
			 1998–99 110.288 
			 1999–2000 97.713 
			 2000–01 91.611 
			 2001–02 140.176 
			 2002–03 123.388

New Schools

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the value of the capital expenditure on new schools built in Wales is in the last five years for which records are available.

Don Touhig: Capital expenditure for building new schools in Wales comes from different sources that are not identified in central recording systems as exclusively for building new schools.
	The following table contains information on the total value of capital expenditure on schools in Wales for the last five years, and includes pre-primary, primary, secondary and special schools.
	
		
			 Financial year £000 
		
		
			 1998–99 55,323 
			 1999–2000 51,727 
			 2000–01 70,421 
			 2001–02 84,215 
			 2002–03 89,926

Secondments

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what secondments (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst & Young and (d) KPMG have made to his Department since 2001; for what (i) periods and (ii) tasks the secondments were made; whether secondments of staff from his Department have been made to those firms; and for what (A) periods and (B) tasks.

Peter Hain: None.

TREASURY

Public Spending and Employment

Desmond Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the relationship between levels of public spending and levels of employment.

Dawn Primarolo: UK public spending as a percentage of GDP is close to the OECD average, but the UK has one of the highest employment rates in the OECD. Across OECD countries there is no systematic relationship between levels of public spending and levels of employment.

Crossrail Project

Simon Hughes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Government agreeing to support the Crossrail project following the completion of the Montague Report; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: Crossrail is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. I understand he is now considering the detailed advice that he has received from Adrian Montague.

Growth/Consumer Spending

Ian Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the last three years UK economy trend figures for growth and consumer spending; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Over the past three years real consumer spending has grown at a faster rate than GDP, supporting the economy through a prolonged period of subdued global demand.

IMF Expenditure Forecasts

Eric Forth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the International Monetary Fund regarding expenditure forecasts.

Paul Boateng: The Chancellor of the Exchequer and officials from HM Treasury had detailed discussions with representatives from the IMF during December in preparation for the UK's Article IV Report. The concluding statement of the IMF's Mission was published immediately after the visit on 18 December.

Tax Credits

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net direct taxation payable in this financial year by a married couple with two children and an income of £20,000 from one partner's work, taking into account the impact of tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: The direct tax burden on a single earner family with two children and gross earnings of £20,000 per year is 9.5 per cent. in 2003–04.

Tax Credits

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with officials from (a) the Department for Work and Pensions and (b) the Inland Revenue regarding take-up ratio of tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: Officials from the Inland Revenue and HM Treasury have had discussions on the size of the population expected to benefit from the Child and Working Tax Credits. The Department for Work and Pensions does not administer tax credits.

Employment Target

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his aim to achieve full employment.

John Healey: The Government's long-term goal is employment opportunity for all—the modern definition of full employment. Its aim is to ensure a higher proportion of people in work than ever before by 2010. The Government's strategy for delivering employment opportunity for all is based on maintaining macroeconomic stability and ensuring a dynamic and flexible labour market that equips people to adapt to change.

Disabled People

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Inland Revenue relating to people with disabilities.

Dawn Primarolo: Treasury Ministers discuss a range of issues with the Inland Revenue, including those relating to people with disabilities.

Tax Concessions (Works of Art)

Chris Bryant: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend tax concessions for those who give major works of art to UK national galleries.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor of the Exchequer considers all taxes as part of his annual Budget judgment.

Civil Servants (Relocation)

John Grogan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish Sir Michael Lyons' report on the relocation of civil servants and other public sector workers to the regions.

Paul Boateng: Sir Michael Lyons intends to publish his final report into the scope for relocating public sector activities out of London and the South East later this month. I understand that no specific date has yet been determined.

International Development

Tom Harris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his public spending commitments to 2006 for International Development.

Paul Boateng: As set out following the conclusion of Spending Review 2002 in July 2002, the Department for International Development's budget for this Financial Year is £3.64 billion. This will rise to £3.78 billion next year and will reach £4.53 billion in financial year 2005–06. This represents the largest ever increase in UK aid levels.

Euro (Ministerial Speeches)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many speeches he has made in the last 12 months in support of the Government's policy on the euro.

John Healey: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor said in his EMU statement to the House on 9 June:
	"a modern long-term and deep-seated pro-European consensus in Britain about Britain's role in Europe and Europe's role in the world can and will be built."
	Since then Treasury Ministers, have held a variety of meetings to discuss the euro in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In addition, Treasury officials have held over 150 meetings with opinion formers in Britain and Europe.

Aggregates Levy

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost to industry in Scotland of the aggregates levy since its introduction;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the impact on local authorities in Scotland of the aggregates levy since its introduction;
	(3)  what change there has been in imports of aggregates into the UK since the introduction of the aggregates levy.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor) on 21 January 2004 Official Report, column 1256W).

Customs and Excise

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of (a) illegal fuel, (b) beer, (c) wine and spirits, (d) cigarettes and (e) counterfeit goods seized in each of the last three years in (i) the UK, (ii) the North West and (iii) Lancashire.

John Healey: HM Customs and Excise routinely publish UK seizures statistics for oil, alcohol and cigarettes. The latest published figures are contained in Customs' Annual Report 2002–03 (HC 52). Regional figures are not available.
	Data on non-excise counterfeit products seized by Customs is contained in the European Commission's annual report on counterfeit and pirated goods, which is available on their website at www.europa.eu.int

Earnings

Martyn Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rise in earnings was for each region of the UK for 2002–03, listed in descending order.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Martyn Jones, dated 4 March 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the rise in earnings for each region of the UK between 2002 and 2003. I am replying in his absence. (157661)
	Average earnings are estimated from the 2003 New Earnings Survey (NES) and are provided for full-time employees on adult rates of pay whose pay was unaffected by absence during the pay period. This is the standard definition used for NES tables.
	The following table gives the percentage increase in gross weekly pay for 2002 to 2003 for the regions as requested.
	
		Percentage increase in average gross weekly earnings(1) between 2002 and 2003 in each of the regions of the United Kingdom (ranked in descending order of earnings increase) -- Percentage
		
			 Region Percentage increase in average weekly earnings 
		
		
			 South West 4.2 
			 East 4.2 
			 Wales 3.7 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 3.7 
			 Northern Ireland 3.7 
			 East Midlands 3.6 
			 North West 2.6 
			 Scotland 2.3 
			 London 2.0 
			 North East 2.0 
			 West Midlands 2.0 
			 South East 1.4 
		
	
	(1) Earnings of full time employees in the UK on adult rates, whose pay for the pay period was unaffected by absence
	Source:
	ONS New Earnings Survey, April 2003

Customs and Excise

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the customs strike force and the level of protection provided in Welsh ports of entry.

John Healey: To meet the challenge of 21st century smuggling, HM Customs and Excise, in Wales and across the UK, have developed their tactics, replacing traditional, predictable and less productive activities with more intelligence-led targeted operations. Experience demonstrates that the most efficient and effective way to do this in many areas is to use flexible mobile strike force teams. With these teams, Customs can deploy larger numbers, less predictably and with greater impact.

Road User Pricing

Damian Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the (a) the proposed date for implementation of the Lorry Road User Charge and (b) its tax implications for the UK haulage industry.

John Healey: The Government published "Modernising the taxation of the haulage industry—lorry road user charge: progress report two" in May 2003, in which we set out the timescale on which we hoped the Lorry Road User Charge would be implemented, depending on what the market tells us can be delivered by when. We also said that the charge would be offset through fuel duty reductions for lorry operators, so that overall those who buy fuel in the UK will pay no more tax as a result of the introduction of the charge. A further progress report will be issued shortly.

Supporting People Programme

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guarantee he is able to give about funding levels for the Supporting People programme in 2004–05.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply
	On 12 February, the Government announced funding of £1.8 billion for the Supporting People programme in 2004–05.

Taxation

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to public funds would be of abolishing capital gains tax, but charging all gains made in less than two years to income tax.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

DEFENCE

Administrative Expenditure

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the financial delegation for the Ministry of Defence relating to running costs and other current administrative expenditure relating to personnel costs of the armed forces.

Adam Ingram: I have today placed a copy of the delegation in the Library of the House.

Defence Finance

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the current value of investments held by the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The total value of MOD investments as at 31 March 2003 was some £430 million. Further information is published in Note 9 of the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2002/03 (HC1125 of 30 October 2003). This document is available in the Library of the House and on the MOD's website. The investments are mainly managed centrally and therefore are not attributed by Service.

Future Rapid Effects System

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether his Department classifies the Future Rapid Effects System programme as (a) a system and (b) a vehicle;
	(2)  whether the winner of the Future Rapid Effects System Systems House competition will be disqualified from playing a major role on the industrial side of the programme;
	(3)  whether the proposed Systems House approach is the preferred way forward for the Future Rapid Effects System programme.

Adam Ingram: The Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) will provide a family of network-capable armoured vehicles that will form a key part of network enabled capability. We expect to make an announcement on the assessment phase for the FRES programme shortly.

Gurkhas

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on (a) the future of Gurkha regiments in the British Army and (b) back filling by Gurkhas in other regiments.

Adam Ingram: There are currently no plans regarding the future of Gurkha regiments. The Defence White Paper published last December provides the policy context for shaping the structure of the armed forces. Subsequently, the details of individual units within that structure will need to be further developed, but presently no decisions have been taken.
	Gurkhas are not routinely tasked as individuals to back fill other army regiments. Previously, specific Gurkha sub-units, known as Gurkha Reinforcement Companies, were established in order to fill a specific operational manning requirement during a period of under-recruiting. However, improved manning levels have since reduced this requirement.

Heavy-lift Aircraft

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft were hired to help with heavy lift in each of the last three years; and what types of aircraft were hired.

Adam Ingram: The following heavy-lift aircraft have been chartered in the last two financial years and in the current financial year to date:
	
		
			  Antonov AN-124 Ilyushin IL 76 
		
		
			 2001–02 86 23 
			 2002–03 176 23 
			 2003–04 52 7

Iraq

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints against UK troops in Iraq have been upheld; what action has been taken; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 9 December 2003
	Complaints against UK troops in Iraq are dealt with by local commanders in accordance with established disciplinary procedures. The vast majority of complaints are of a minor nature and are, as a result generally not recorded centrally.

Iraq

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the death in British Army custody in September 2003 of Baha Mousa in Basra; what action has been taken or is pending against the soldiers involved; whether compensation has been (a) offered to and (b) accepted by his family; and whether he will accept an independent inquiry into the circumstances of Mr. Mousa's death.

Adam Ingram: The death of Baha Mousa is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Royal Military Police who, in exercising their constabulary powers, are fully independent of the Army chain of command. It would be inappropriate to comment until their investigation is complete.
	The UK has not admitted liability for Baha Mousa's death but a payment has been accepted by Mr. Mousa's family.

Iraq

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent to repair and reconstruct civilian infrastructure by UK forces within the first 100 days of the end of high intensity fighting in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: In collecting the costs incurred by UK forces, we do not separately identify those incurred on repair and reconstruction of civilian infrastructure. However, it is estimated that, in 2003–04, some £9.9 million will be spent on quick impact projects, which enhance the security of UK forces. Such projects include the refurbishment of schools and health clinics, renovation of police stations, supplying oxygen to hospitals, and the repairing and re-supplying of water and sewerage works. This is separate from the cost of reconstruction, on which the Department for International Development is leading.

Iraq

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budget his Department has allocated for entertaining troops in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: There is no specific budget set aside for the entertainment of troops in operational locations. Instead, an assessment, based on the number of troops deployed on the operation, is made to determine how many events should be provided.
	Just over £0.5 million has been approved to be spent on entertainers visiting troops in Iraq in 2003–04. No costs were incurred in 2002–03. In addition to this cost, entertainers may be provided with some limited non-cash assistance, such as transport, accommodation or food, should this be possible given operational pressures. The Services Sound and Vision Corporation incur an additional cost, extending their normal peacetime service to the United Kingdom forces stationed overseas, to those deployed operationally in Iraq. For 2003–04, the additional cost for that activity is estimated at around £4 million.
	It might be helpful to put these figures in the context of the overall net additional cost of military operations in Iraq which, for 2003–04, is forecast at around £1,500 million.

Iraq

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Permanent Secretary in his Department was first informed as to which Iraqi weapons the 45 minute claim in the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction dossier applied.

Geoff Hoon: The Permanent Secretary first became aware of the intelligence which indicated that chemical and biological munitions could be with Iraqi military units and ready for firing within 45 minutes in early September 2002. He became aware that the intelligence referred to battlefield weapons soon after the publication of the Government's dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

RAF Colerne

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the plans for the United States Emergency Hospital planned for RAF Colerne in 1984 were ever implemented; and whether there are similar plans now.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 2 March 2004
	I am not aware of any plans for a United States Emergency Hospital at Colerne in 1984, and there are no such plans for the future. The army took over the site from the RAF in 1978, and it is now the base for the 21 Signal Regiment (Air Support).

Royal Yeomanry

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Royal Yeomanry.

Adam Ingram: There are currently no plans to change the role of the Royal Yeomanry. The Defence White Paper published last December provides the policy context for shaping the structure of our armed forces. The detailed roles, function and tasks of individual units within that structure are being developed, but no decisions have been taken.

War Veterans (Ireland)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Second World War (a) veterans and (b) war widows he estimates are resident in the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: This information is not available in the format requested.
	Available data shows that the number of war pensions in payment in respect of post 1939 service, for those where residence is recorded as being in the Republic of Ireland, is as follows; War Disablement Pension 825 and War Widows Pension 255.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the contracts let by the Coalition Provisional Authority for selling Iraqi oil and gas.

Stephen Timms: The State Oil Marketing Organisation (SOMO) sells all exportable hydrocarbons on behalf of the Ministry of Oil. SOMO forms part of the Ministry of Oil.

Balance of Trade

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the balance of trade between Greater London and (a) the rest of the United Kingdom, (b) the European Union and (c) the rest of the world was for each year since 1997.

Mike O'Brien: According to information published by HM Customs and Excise, the balance of trade in goods between the London region and EU and non-EU countries are given in the following table. Information on trade between regions of the United Kingdom is not available. Information on trade in services cannot be cross-classified by UK region and partner country.
	
		Greater London Balance of Trade in goods -- £ billion
		
			  (2)EU Non-EU 
		
		
			 1997 -5.8 -12.1 
			 1998 -7.5 -13.1 
			 1999 -8.5 -13.8 
			 2000 -8.0 -13.2 
			 2001 -5.0 -12.4 
			 2002 -0.8 -12.1 
		
	
	(2) Figures for trade with the EU refer only to traders above the Intrastat threshold. Nationally, such traders account for over 97 per cent. of the value of UK trade in goods.

Biomass Electricity Project, Winkleigh

John Burnett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial and other inquiries were made by (a) her Department and (b) the South West Regional Development Agency before it announced the conditional grant made to Peninsula Power in respect of the proposed Biomass Electricity project at Winkleigh, Devon; and what inquiries are being made now.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 27 February 2004
	South West RDA made no financial inquiries into Peninsula Power since it is not funding the core operation costs of that company. The RDA purchased 36 acres of land at Winkleigh Airfield to ensure that the opportunity to build the proposed biomass plant is not lost before the issues are properly considered as part of the planning process. The RDA has undertaken the necessary due diligence in relation to the acquisition of the land.
	The RDA has also provided further funds to ensure feasibility studies are comprehensively carried out and fully available to the public. It will insist that the consultants appointed to undertake the studies provide a "Deed of Warranty" to ensure the quality of the work undertaken.
	The DTI grant to the developer from the Capital Grants Scheme is an arrangement under which payments are only made in arrears of agreed milestones and where matching funding has been provided. As yet no payments have been made under the DTI grant. When assessing the original application for the grant, the DTI followed its laid-down procedures and which involved the advice of independent advisers.
	Should the plant obtain all the necessary planning and environmental consents, then Peninsula Power has an option to purchase all or part of the site from South West RDA at market value. At that point, the RDA will not dispose of the land to Peninsula Power unless it is satisfied that all the necessary funding to complete any approved project is in place, necessitating the undertaking of financial checks at the appropriate time.

Biomass Electricity Project, Winkleigh

John Burnett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps (a) she and (b) the South West Regional Development Agency have taken to satisfy themselves that the advanced gasification and turbine technology for the proposed Biomass Electricity project at Winkleigh, Devon is proven and will not fail; and what their findings were.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 27 February 2004
	The DTI has considered the technology as part of its Bio-Energy Capital Grant scheme which allows development of technology processes. The South West RDA does have a wider interest in gasification technology in the region and will be appointing independent consultants to appraise the technology. The consultants will specifically report on the gasification technology proposed at Winkleigh and will liaise closely with DTI. The findings will be made available to the public.

Biomass Electricity Project, Winkleigh

John Burnett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the payments (a) authorised and (b) paid by (i) her Department and (ii) the South West Regional Development Agency towards the proposed Biomass Electricity Generation project at Winkleigh, Devon.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 27 February 2004
	The South West RDA authorised project funding of £623,900 to acquire 36 acres of land and pay for feasibility studies (an Environmental Impact Assessment, a Biomass Feedstock and Market Development Study and an Economic Impact Assessment) and limited technical costs (including costs towards a public consultation exercise).
	The feasibility studies and technical work will provide results that will have wider implications for other, similar, projects in the region. The studies will also be made fully available to the public, including the local community, key regional partners and other developers.
	To date (26 February 2004) the SWRDA has paid £338,200 for the acquisition of the land. In total £384,391 has been paid to date (26 February 2004) including other associated costs.

Broadband

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of UK domestic broadband connections use services with downstream specifications in excess of 2Mbps.

Stephen Timms: The proportion of UK domestic broadband connections using services with downstream specifications in excess of 2Mbps is not held by the Department.
	Telecommunications operators have assured the Department they review regularly their range of broadband services to see whether they are meeting consumer demand for higher speed services. It is estimated by Analysys Consulting Ltd. that by end December 2003, mass-market asymmetric 4Mbps services were available to 11 per cent. of the UK population from exchanges where the local loop has been unbundled.

Broadband/Mobile Phones

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with representatives of other political parties concerning her strategy to encourage growth in the broadband and third-generation mobile phone sectors; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: There have been no formal discussions with representatives of other political parties concerning our strategy to encourage growth in the broadband and third-generation mobile phone sectors.

Business Links

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the current levels of (a) prompted and (b) unprompted awareness of Business Link branded services among small businesses.

Nigel Griffiths: In December 2002, prompted awareness of Business Link was 74 per cent. and unprompted awareness was 17 per cent. A further survey measuring awareness of Business Link is currently being undertaken.

Business Links

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Small Business Service can take in relation to an underperforming Business Link operator.

Nigel Griffiths: The actions available to the SBS, under the terms of section 5 of the Business Link Operator (BLO) Operator Agreement, in full to address underperformance by BLOs are:
	to write formally to the BLO highlighting concern over performance levels and advising them that should performance not improve further action would be taken; requiring the BLO to undergo a Business Performance Review (BPR), that examines the problems faced by the BLO and recommends actions to resolve the problems. The BLO would then need to agree a remedial plan with their SBS or RDA contract management team based on the outcome of the BPR, the implementation of which is closely monitored by the SBS or RDA contract management team;
	not automatically extending the BLO's contract to a third year and serving notice that unless performance significantly improves, the contract will terminate in two years;
	if an agreed remedial plan has not been fully implemented the SBS can withhold funding from the BLO until it is satisfied the plan has been implemented in full. The amount of withheld funding can be up to 33 per cent. (depending on the extent of the failure to implement the remedial plan) and;
	in extreme circumstances the failure to implement a remedial plan can be considered a material breach of the contract and a written notice to terminate the contract served.

Business Links

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of businesses helped by each of the UK business link organisations are still operating.

Nigel Griffiths: While information is not collected from individual business link organisations regarding the survival of businesses that they have assisted. A tracking study of a group of Barclay's bank business customers demonstrated that businesses that received help from Business link organisations and business agencies had a higher survival rate, with 76 per cent. still trading after two years, compared with 63 per cent. of the control group.

Business Links

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are in place to encourage businesses to use Business Link; and what proportion of applicants for (a) the Smart Scheme and (b) the Grant for Research and Development has (i) discussed their application with their local Business Link operator and (ii) maintained dialogue with Business Link throughout the period of their project.

Nigel Griffiths: Businesses are encouraged to use Business Link by a nationally-undertaken programme of paid advertising, including online advertising, sponsorship, events, public relations activity and publications distribution. Businesses are also encouraged to use Business Link through partnerships with third parties and intermediaries, such as banks.
	In addition, businesses are encouraged at a local and regional level to use Business Link through promotional activity undertaken by individual Business Link Operators.
	(a) The most recent, independent evaluation of Smart, which published its findings in 2001, found that 50 per cent. of those surveyed had used public business service providers, including Business Link, as a source of additional support in relation to their projects, either at the application stage or subsequently,
	(b) The Grant for Research and Development was introduced in June 2003 and early indications are that two fifths of applicants have used Business Link services in preparing their applications. The proportion which has maintained a dialogue is not known.

Business Links

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of time her Department's Business Link staff spent on managing the Business Link Network in each year since its inception.

Nigel Griffiths: The current Business Link network of 42 Operators over 45 areas in England was launched in April 2001. The Small Business Service's nine regional teams (around 50 staff), with support from their Head Office set up and managed the contracts. The majority of their time was spent working with Business Link Operators and regional partners to develop the network. The Small Business Service is now increasingly concentrating on influencing policy and delivery decisions across government both in Whitehall and in the regions, and up to a third of the regional staff will be undertaking different roles in line with this new strategy by the end of March 2004.

Business Links

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed as part of the national network of e-business advisers located in the Business Link.

Nigel Griffiths: 151.

Business Support

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms have been helped by the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme since its introduction.

Nigel Griffiths: Since the Small Firms Loan Guarantee began in June 1981, up to the end of January 2004, 88744 loans have been guaranteed. Some small firms may have benefited from more than one loan.

Business Support

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been spent on (a) grants for research and development, (b) grants for investigating an innovative idea and (c) knowledge transfer partnerships since they were introduced; and of each total, how much has been spent on administration.

Stephen Timms: (a) and (b) expenditure for the Grant for R and D and Grant for III from 1 June 2003 to 31 January 2004 is as follows:
	
		
			  Programme spend (£) Administration(3)(£) 
		
		
			 Grant for R and D 950,000  
			 Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea 270,000 3,189,000 
			 Former Smart scheme(3) 32,768,000  
		
	
	(3) From 1 April 2003 to 31 January 2004
	Note:
	Administration of all three programmes is unified.
	(c) Since Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (including the former TCS programmes) were introduced approximately £20.5 million has been spent. The administration costs to date are approximately £1.75 million.

Business Support Schemes

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 5 February 2004, Official Report, column 998W, on business support schemes, if she will list the (a) service costs to run and (b) cost of the programme delivered by (i) the Small Firms Loan Guarantee, (ii) Grant for Research and Development, (iii) Grant for Investigating an Innovative idea and (iv) Knowledge Transfer Partnerships between 2003–07.

Nigel Griffiths: The forecast costs of the new Business Support Products for the financial years 2003–04 and for 2004–05 are listed in the table below. Allocations for future years will be agreed as part of the 2004 Spending Review process. Grant for Research and Development and Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea were introduced on 1 June 2003 to replace and enhance the Smart scheme. Since that date administration of all three has been unified and it is not possible to apportion service costs between them. The same applies to Knowledge Transfer Partnerships which was introduced in 1 June 2003 to replace TCS.
	
		£ million
		
			  2003–04 2003–04 2004–05 2004–05 
			 Business support product Service costs Cost of programme Service costs Cost of programme 
		
		
			 Small Firms Loan Guarantee 0.702 52.85 0.702 65  
			 Grant for Research and Development (including Smart) 3.83 40 3.83 26 
			 Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea  0.6  3 
			 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (formerly TCS) 2.4 25. 6 2.4 25. 6

Business Support Schemes

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2004, Official Report, column 998W, on business support schemes, 
	(1)  if she will list the new business support products that are due to be made available in April; and how much money is to be spent on these products;.
	(2)  she will list the new products that have replaced business support schemes that are (a) already in place and (b) to be introduced this year; and what the projected cost is of each product.

Patricia Hewitt: Four new business support products are already in place. These are: Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea, Grant for Research and Development, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and Small Firms Loan Guarantee.
	Five further new business support products will be introduced in the first half of this year. These are Knowledge Transfer Networks, Grant for Collaborative Research and Development, Access to Best Business Practice, Support to Implement Best Business Practice, and Finance to encourage investment in specific areas of England.
	The timing of the introduction of the tenth business support product, Enterprise Capital Fund, is dependent upon the current notification to the European Commission for State Aids Clearance.
	The Department's annual expenditure on each product will be kept under review by the Investment Committee to ensure products' impact on productivity and value for money.
	The Business Cases presented to the Investment Committee currently project expenditure to be as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 Grant for Collaborative Research and Development 134 
			 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships 36 
			 Grant for Research and Development (4)33 
			 Knowledge Transfer Networks 17 
			 Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea 3 
			 Small Firms Loan Guarantee 49 
			 Access to Best Business Practice 10 
			 Support to Implement Best Business Practice 20 
			 Finance to encourage investment in specific areas (provisional title) 125 
			  Enterprise Capital Fund   Subject to EU notification 
		
	
	(4) £100 million over three years

Call Centres

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on (a) call centres and (b) call centre jobs in (i) the North West and (ii) Lancashire.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government is well aware of the heightened interest and concerns expressed about the offshoring of UK service operations, including call centre operations. My Department has commissioned research on the key factors contributing to the relative competitiveness of UK call centre operations to help identify any appropriate actions which need to be taken by industry or Government in response to the increasingly global market for call centre services. This will include an examination of the main product areas in the UK call and contact centre industry that are vulnerable to growing competition from lower-wage economies, which types of call and contract centre activity and which regions have been most affected or are most likely to be affected in the near future.
	The North West Development Agency is working with the University of Central Lancashire and a wide range of other private and public sector partners on a new initiative, Call North West, in an aim to drive up the skills and productivity of the region's contact centres. Call North West will be formally launched on 24 March.

Call Centres

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs in (a) the north west and (b) Lancashire in call centres have relocated abroad in each of the last three years.

Patricia Hewitt: Existing information does not enable us to provide reliable figures. Official statistics do not generally separate call centre activities from the main activity of a firm or enterprise (e.g. banking). The term "call centre" can be used to describe a broad variety of functions and activities across a wide range of commercial, industrial and public sectors. Difficulties and differences in definition are reflected in commercial market research on call centres where estimates on the number of call centres and call centre employees vary substantially.

Colombia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support her Department has offered to BP for its exploration activities in Colombia; and what meetings have been held with company representatives in the last six months.

Mike O'Brien: Through the British embassy in Bogota, in particular, UK Trade and Investment offers a range of services to UK exporters and to UK investors in Colombia. While London based officials have had little contact with BP there, officials in Bogota have regular contact with the company (the largest foreign investor in Colombia) on a range of issues of mutual interest. In October 2003, the embassy's First Secretary (Trade and Investment) made an introductory call on the new company president offering support to their activities in Colombia and, in February, the ambassador hosted a dinner, offered to the Minister of Mines and Energy where BP's president, and heads of other British companies were present.
	Further meetings at various levels will continue to be held with BP over the coming months.

Enterprise Culture

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with (a) other Government departments and (b) the EU to develop a strategy promoting an enterprise culture.

Nigel Griffiths: The Small Business Service has recently co-ordinated and published a cross government action plan for small business based around seven strategic themes, one of which relates to the development of an enterprise culture. The development of that strategic theme involved discussions with a number of other departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education and Skills, and the Home Office.
	At EU level, we responded to the European Commission's Green Paper on Entrepreneurship at the end of June 2003, including references to actions which could raise the level of awareness of enterprise, such as an enterprise day or week across the EU, which would complement the UK strategy.

Enterprise Culture

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives her Department is supporting to encourage entrepreneurial attitudes among young people; what discussions her Department has had with the Department for Education and Skills about building enterprise awareness in schools and universities; and whether her Department expects to implement the recommendations of the Davies review on enterprise activity offered to pupils by 2005–06.

Patricia Hewitt: The DTI has supported Enterprise Insight in developing a national campaign to promote enterprise to young people and those who influence them (including teachers, careers advisers etc). This campaign will have as its focal point an annual Enterprise Week the first of which will be from 15 to 21 November this year. Enterprise Week will include national and regional activities and celebrations of entrepreneurial achievement.
	The DTI also supports the activities of Young Enterprise, in offering young people practical experience of what enterprise entails through simulated entrepreneurial situations. Specifically, through the SBS it supports YE's Graduate Programme, Masterclass and Innovation Awards.
	The DTI is also working closely with the DfES and the Treasury in taking forward the recommendations of the Davies Review. From 2005–06 all Key Stage 4 pupils will receive the equivalent of 5 days enterprise activity, which develops enterprise capability—innovation, creativity, risk-management and risk-taking, and financial and business understanding. 151 Enterprise Pathfinder projects were launched last September, covering nearly 400 secondary schools in England, from which DfES will derive guidance for all schools prior to launching the £60 million enterprise education entitlement in September 2005. A second wave of Pathfinders will start in September 2004.
	The two Departments are also supporting the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship. Building on existing good practice, the aims of the council will be to raise the profile of entrepreneurship and starting a business as a career option within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including both universities and other higher education establishments, with the objective of increasing the numbers of students and graduates who give serious thought to this. It will therefore work with all interested parties to encourage and create an entrepreneurial culture amongst students and graduates.

Enterprise Shows

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry where enterprise shows have been held this year; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of enterprise shows in encouraging business start-up.

Nigel Griffiths: As stated in the Government's l Action Plan for Small Business, we are collaborating with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to run a programme of enterprise shows which are being planned.
	1 A government action plan for small business : making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business, published by DTI January 2004 (DTI/Pub 6993/10k/01/04/NP. URN 03/1592).

Export Licences

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licences have been granted for the delivery of gas centrifuges or parts thereof over the last five years; and in respect of which countries.

Nigel Griffiths: Since May 1997, the Government have published an Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls containing details of all goods authorised for export from the UK and to which destinations. Copies of the Annual Report (up to and including 2002) are available from the Libraries of the House. Details of export licences approved in 2003 will be published later this year in the 2003 Annual Report. The annual report summary for the goods in question is 'Uranium isotope separation equipment'.

Internet Security

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures her Department is taking to ensure that small businesses are adequately protected from internet hackers and fraudsters.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien), on 1 March 2004, Official Report, columns 633–34W.

Miners' Compensation

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the death of a miner after a filed compensation claim changes the claim's level of priority, with particular reference to the status of the miner's wife.

Nigel Griffiths: No.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list (a) executive non-departmental public bodies and (b) advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department; and what budget was set for each year between 1998 and 2008.

Patricia Hewitt: The Department's Executive and Advisory NDPBs are listed in the Cabinet Office's annual publication "Public Bodies".
	The following bodies have been formed as Executive or Advisory NDPBs since 1 April 2003 and will be included in the Public Bodies 2004.
	Competition Service—Executive NDPB
	Hearing Aid Council—Executive NDPB
	Advisory Committee on Carbon Abatement Technologies—Advisory NDPB
	Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Board—Advisory NDPB
	UK National Authority Advisory Group—Advisory NDPB
	Budgets for individual NDPBs, which may reflect income in addition to Grant in Aid, are typically settled in separate corporate or business planning discussions. Details could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
	However, Grant in Aid support for these bodies is published annually in DTI's entry in Central Government Supply Estimates (Main Supply Estimates).
	Grant in Aid for future years will be published annually in Central Government Supply Estimates (Main Supply Estimates).
	Copies of "Public Bodies" and the Department's estimates are available in the Libraries of the House.

Nuclear Decommissioning

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost of (a) building, (b) operating and (c) decommissioning (i) next generation nuclear and (ii) combined cycle gas turbine facilities.

Stephen Timms: The Department has published estimates of the cost of electricity generation from a variety of technologies, including next generation nuclear and combined cycle gas turbine facilities. These are contained in a report published in February 2002 available at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/greenhousegas/index.shtml.
	The Performance and Innovation Unit at the Cabinet Office also published similar estimates in its 2001 Energy Review. These are available at: www. number-10.gov.uk/su/energy/l.html

One NorthEast(UK Land Estates Partnership Deal)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value was of the assets of One North East which were included in the partnership deal with UK Land Estates; and what the value of contracts placed with UK Land Estates by ONE has been since its commencement.

Nigel Griffiths: The contractual documentation for the limited partnership, which is proposed will be called North East Property Partnership, is not yet complete.
	The Agency has placed no contracts with the partnership to date as it has yet to come into existence.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to her Department since 1 January 2003, broken down by (a) ordinary written and (b) named day; what percentage in respect of (a) were answered within 10 working days; and what percentage in respect of (b) were answered by the specified date.

Patricia Hewitt: The following figures are for the whole of the 2002–03 sessions. Of the 2,867 ordinary written questions, 2,706 (94 per cent.) were answered within 10 working days. Of the 723 named day written questions, 247 (34 per cent.) received a substantive reply on the named day.

Post Office

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average percentage decline in post office business between March 2000 and March 2003 was for post offices in (a) the top 10 per cent.of urban deprived wards and (b) urban areas; and what percentage of the decline during that period she attributes to changes in the benefits system.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 26 February 2004
	The information sought relates to operational matters and I have asked the Chief Executive of Post Office Ltd. to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Office

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been paid in compensation to sub-post masters and mistresses of closing post offices; and how many post offices have been closed in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: I understand from Post Office Ltd. that net closures of post offices in each of the last five years were:
	
		
			 Year to end March  
		
		
			 1999 233 
			 2000 382 
			 2001 547 
			 2002 262 
			 2003 (5)345 
		
	
	(5) Including 102 closures under the urban reinvention programme which commenced in October 2002.
	Compensation is paid only to those subpostmasters whose office close under the terms of the urban reinvention programme. Post Office Ltd. produces data on branch closures, including those under the urban reinvention programme, on a quarterly basis. The total amount paid in compensation to subpostmasters in respect of the 694 post offices closed under the urban reinvention programme to end December 2003, the latest quarter for which this information is available was £38,111,410.

Post Office

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the part played by (a) Postwatch and (b) Post Office Limited in the Urban Network Reinvention Programme.

Stephen Timms: Post Office Ltd.'s urban reinvention programme is essential if a viable and sustainable countrywide post office network is to be maintained and to meet the changing needs of customers. The company will ensure that at the end of the programme, at least 95 per cent. of the population in urban areas will still live within a mile of their nearest post offices.
	Postwatch has an important role in the programme in examining each individual closure proposals and monitoring the programme overall. I understand that, of some 1,600 closure proposals notified to them, over 200 have been withdrawn, deferred or modified during or after the consultation process.
	Although the vast majority of urban reinvention closure proposals have attracted little criticism, concerns expressed about the consultation arrangements led me to ask Post Office Ltd. to review the arrangements and to propose changes to make them more inclusive and responsive. These changes were announced in my written statement of 5 February.

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether regulatory impact assessments undertaken in relation to EU legislation are full assessments.

Nigel Griffiths: All regulations, including those resulting from EU legislation, that have a cost to or benefit for business are required to have a full Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). Copies are placed in the Libraries of the House.
	While EU legislation is being developed, a partial RIA is prepared in order to inform the policy development process. The RIA remains a partial RIA while the legislative proposal itself is under development.

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 2 February 2004, Official Report, column 649W, on regulatory impact assessments, what assessment she has made of the frequency with which the costs and benefits of regulations to consumers are considered in the course of regulatory impact assessments.

Nigel Griffiths: The Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) process requires policy makers to assess the impact on all areas of society affected by a proposal. Where appropriate, therefore, the impact on consumers will be assessed in the RIA.
	An estimate of the frequency with which consumers are referred cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
	All RIAs must include a competition assessment which looks at the impact of a proposal on UK customers.

Regulatory Reform Orders

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which regulatory reform order have been used to amend burdensome primary legislation since 2001.

Nigel Griffiths: The Department is currently committed to a total of 10 Regulatory Reform Orders by the end of 2005.
	The Department has completed one Regulatory Reform Order removing the 20 Partner Limit on business partnerships. A further two removing the Sunday Trading Reporting Requirements for large stores and Patent Law improvements are undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny.

Russia (Nuclear Co-operation)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority was involved under the G8 Global Partnership Programme or its predecessor bilateral nuclear co-operation agreements with Russia in the towing of the Russian nuclear submarine K159 (November Class SSN) to the breaker's yard.

Nigel Griffiths: No.

Secondments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the secondees from outside organisations working in her Department, stating in each case (a) the name of the person, (b) the name of the organisation, (c) the post held and (d) the start and finish dates of the secondment; and which are involved in drafting parliamentary answers.

Patricia Hewitt: The following table shows all secondees from external organisations presently working in the Department of Trade and Industry. The table indicates the name of the secondee, their employer, the position of the secondee and the name of the DTI directorate to which the secondee is attached, and the secondment start and finish dates.
	Secondees may, where appropriate in the course of their responsibilities, be asked to contribute to the drafting of parliamentary answers.
	
		
			 Name Employer DTI post held Secondmentstart date Secondmentfinish date 
		
		
			 Christine Adams SIRA Ltd. Project Manager, Technology Transfer Best Practice Project in Technological Innovation and Sustainable Development 1/8/03 31/3/04 
			 Lew Adams Strategic Rail Authority Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/4/02 31/3/04 
			 Colin Ager National Physical Laboratory Programme Supervisor in Technological Innovation and Sustainable Development 16/12/02 31/12/04 
			 Silu Ali Oracle Corporation UK Ltd. Assistant Director in Business Relations 4/8/03 3/8/04 
			 Martyn Allen BAE Systems Export Promoter in UK T&I 4/2/02 3/2/05 
			 Helen Almey dstl Assistant Director in Office of Science and Technology 11/8/03 12/8/05 
			 Haakan Andresen Tripleplay Services Ltd. Assistant Director in Business Relations 5/11/02 31/3/04 
			 Erica Antonelli BT Policy Advisor in Environmental Technologies 29/4/03 31/3/04 
			 Alan Baldwin BT Export Promoter in UK T&I 26/7/99 25/4/04 
			 Malcolm Barents UKAEA Deputy Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 22/4/02 22/4/04 
			 Natasha Barnett BDO Stoy Hayward Investigator in Corporate Law and Governance 2/12/02 31/5/04 
			 David Basford Smiths Aerospace Assistant Director in Business Relations 31/3/03 30/3/05 
			 Frederick Bassnett Raylian London Export Promoter in UK T&I 25/4/00 24/4/04 
			 Fahima Begum BT Policy Analyst in Business Relations 9/2/04 8/11/04 
			 James Benn SBAC Project Co-ordinator in Business Relations 6/10/03 5/10/04 
			 David Bill Balfour Beatty Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/1/02 2/1/04 
			 Norman Bolton TUV NEL Programme Supervisor in Technological Innovation and Sustainable Development 1/7/02 30/9/04 
			 Debbie Boswell British Jewellery and Giftware Federation Export Promoter in UK T&I 15/7/03 11/7/05 
			 Edwin Bowles Exploration Consultants Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 2/1/02 31/3/04 
			 Carol Brady Kent County Council Assistant Director in Consumer and Competition Policy 19/1/04 31/10/04 
			 Christopher Bruce BT Group plc Assistant Director in Business Relations 2/6/03 28/5/04 
			 Geoff Cathcart Cambridgeshire County Council Assistant Director in Business Relations 20/11/02 31/3/04 
			 Mike Chadwick Shared Intelligence Senior Research Officer in the Small Business Service 2/6/03 30/6/05 
			 Jeff Chapman Combined Heat and Power Association Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/4/00 31/3/04 
			 Jennifer Churchward Ernst & Young Export Promoter in UK T&I 3/2/03 2/2/05 
			 Jos Cleare Hill & Knowlton Assistant Director in Business Relations 1/1/04 5/10/04 
			 Peter Concannon FaberMaunsell Assistant Director in Business Relations 6/5/03 31/10/04 
			 Hugh Crooks Enterplan Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 5/11/01 2/4/04 
			 Adam Dawson Shell Information Technologies International Director in Business Relations 29/7/02 31/5/04 
			 Alexander Stewart Dickey Barclays Bank plc Consultant in the Consumer Credit Review Team in Consumer and Competition Policy 10/11/03 30/4/04 
			 Mark Donougher PricewaterhouseCoopers Deputy Director, Entrepreneurial Inward Investment in UK T&I 25/3/02 31/3/04 
			 Ian Downey Science Systems (Space) Ltd. Head of Applications of Market Development in the British National Space Centre 4/12/01 3/12/04 
			 Fabien du Fraisse Bio-Industry Association Deputy Director and Bioscience Industry Adviser in Business Relations 1/10/02 31/3/04 
			 Lynn Duggan London Borough of Camden Senior Policy Adviser in Consumer and Competition Policy 2/2/04 31/7/05 
			 Peter Dunkley Leicestershire City Council Senior Policy Adviser in Consumer and Competition Policy 1/2/03 1/8/04 
			 Alan Eastwood Chemical Industries Association Assistant Director in Chemicals Unit, Business Relations 4/1/00 31/12/04 
			 Louise Edwards Rolls-Royce plc Policy Advisor In Employment Relations 1/9/03 27/8/04 
			 Tony Emes Mott MacDonald Group Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/6/99 31/5/04 
			 Philip Evans British Nuclear Fuel plc Liabilities Manager in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/4/02 31/3/04 
			 Andy Feest AEA Technology plc Assistant Director in the Technology and Innovation Team, Business Relations 21/1/04 20/1/06 
			 John Fitton Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 3/4/00 2/7/04 
			 Simon Ford British Telecommunications Telecomms and e-business specialist in UK T&I 30/5/00 29/5/04 
			 Christian Franceschi DSL Consultants Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 18/11/02 17/11/04 
			 Richard Francis RWE NUKEM Ltd. Assistant Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 2/5/00 30/4/04 
			 Tony Godley UKAEA Assistant Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 6/1/03 5/1/05 
			 Paul Gower Financial Services Authority Assistant Director in Corporate Law and Governance 5/1/04 31/12/05 
			 Elizabeth Grant IBM (UK) Director of UK Online for Business in Business Relations 15/7/02 30/4/04 
			 Malcolm Gresty ARUP Export Promoter in UK T&I 28/1/02 27/1/04 
			 Hilary Hartigan NPL Management Ltd. Programme Supervisor in Technological Innovation and Sustainable Development 12/1/04 31/3/04 
			 Kevin Hatt Security Service Administrator in Export Control and Non-Proliferation 20/10/03 30/4/04 
			 Nick Heyes Marine Electronic Services Ltd. Assistant Director in Business Relations 1/3/03 31/3/05 
			 Christopher Hill Shell UK Exploration and Production Assistant Director in Energy Innovation and Business Unit 3/11/03 2/5/05 
			 Mark Holt Business Link Cheshire and Warrington Export Promoter in UK T&I 18/6/02 17/6/04 
			 Judith Hopson Marine Electronic Services Ltd. Administrator in Business Relations 3/3/03 31/3/05 
			 Nicole Hough UKAEA Assistant Director in Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 22/4/02 22/4/04 
			 Diane Houston University of Kent Head of Research in the Women and Equality Unit 1/9/03 31/8/05 
			 Robert Hudson Hyder Consulting Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/9/01 31/8/05 
			 John Neale Hutchinson Gardenex Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/2/99 29/2/04 
			 John Ireland British Nuclear Fuel plc Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/9/99 31/8/04 
			 Marcus Jackson Ernst & Young Deputy Director in the Industrial Development Unit 14/1/04 13/1/06 
			 Mike Jewitt Business Link Leicester Deputy Director in Small Business Service 1/2/04 31/3/05 
			 James Johnstone NPL Management Ltd. Technology Adviser in Technological Innovation and Sustainable Development 6/10/03 3/9/04 
			 Alexia Jones Deluca Export Promoter in UK T&I 15/8/02 14/2/04 
			 Briony Jones Lloyds TSB Group plc Director of the Industrial Development Unit 29/10/01 29/10/05 
			 Jane Kilgannon Disability Rights Commission Assistant Policy Adviser in the Women and Equality Unit 14/7/03 13/7/05 
			 David King Cambridge University Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of Office of Science and Technology 2/10/00 30/12/05 
			 Nigel Lawson Dick Waitrose Assistant Director in the Retail Unit in Business Relations 13/3/03 31/3/04 
			 Errol Levy Astrium UK Assistant Director in the British National Space Centre 2/4/01 30/4/04 
			 Jonathan Lonsdale Ecotec Research & Consulting Ltd. Project Manager in the Joint Environment Markets Unit 1/4/03 31/3/05 
			 Tom MacKeown Bertrams Group Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/3/03 1/4/05 
			 Peter Maggs BP plc Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/10/01 31/12/03 
			 Christopher Mansfield Shell UK Exploration and Production Senior Economist in Energy Markets Unit 21/1/04 31/12/04 
			 Joanne Marsden Dstl Assistant Director in Foresight Directorate, Office of Science and Technology 1/12/03 30/4/05 
			 Alan McArthur Middlesbrough College Export Promoter in UK T&I 27/5/03 26/5/05 
			 Anne McFarlane Natural Environment Research Council Assistant Director in the Office of Science and Technology 3/2/03 2/2/05 
			 Christian Mole Ernst & Young Deputy Director in the Industrial Development Unit 15/4/02 16/4/04 
			 Gill Money National Physical Laboratory Assistant Director in Office of Science and Technology 16/2/04 31/3/04 
			 Barrie Morris Grant Thornton Assistant Director in the Small Business Service 20/10/03 19/10/04 
			 Barbara Morton Manchester School of Management Project Manager—Sustainable Procurement in the Joint Environment Markets Unit 10/6/03 9/6/05 
			 Richard Mrowicki British Nuclear Fuel plc Deputy Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/4/02 31/3/04 
			 Andrew Nelson PricewaterhouseCoopers Assistant Director in the Industrial Development Unit 4/11/02 29/10/04 
			 Adrian Nicholls Ernst & Young Deputy Director in the Industrial Development Unit 2/9/02 1/9/04 
			 Ray Parkinson British Nuclear Fuel plc Assistant Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/6/02 31/3/04 
			 Richard Pascoe Reuters Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 9/12/02 9/6/04 
			 Phillip Patterson Association of Independent Music Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 2/4/03 2/10/04 
			 Nicholas Peace The Newbrook Engineering Company Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 24/5/99 31/5/04 
			 Robert Quarshie Corus Deputy Director in Business Relations 1/6/03 2/6/04 
			 Peter Revill E-skills nto Deputy Director in Business Relations 1/6/01 31/5/04 
			 Jeremy Robinson Allen and Overy Assistant Director in Consumer and Competition Policy 20/1/03 29/2/04 
			 Philippa Ryan East Midlands Development Agency Deputy Director in Facilitating Innovation 10/3/03 31/7/03 
			 Robert Saunders BP plc Head of Downstream Oil in the Energy Markets Unit 1/5/02 30/4/04 
			 Alison Scott Gardenex Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/12/99 19/4/04 
			 Robin Sellers British Nuclear Fuel plc Deputy Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/4/02. 31/3/04 
			 Nicholas Sharman London Development Agency Director, Regions 22/9/03 17/9/04 
			 Elaine Simpson British Nuclear Fuel plc Assistant Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/4/02 31/3/04 
			 Nicola Simpson Citizens Advice Bureau Assistant Director in the Better Regulation Team 16/6/03 15/6/04 
			 Martyn Skinner Tate & Lyle plc Export Promoter in UK T&I 10/4/00 9/4/04 
			 Robin Sloan Ove Arup & Partners Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/4/02 2/4/04 
			 Jacqueline Somers Traditional Weatherwear Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 2/5/00 1/5/04 
			 Gordon Stevenson Lee & Allen Consulting Ltd. Investigator in Company Investigations 20/10/03 19/10/04 
			 David Still AMEC Project Investments Renewables Advisor in the Energy Innovation and Business Unit 6/1/03 5/1/05 
			 Gill Street Kid's Club Network Policy Adviser in the Women and Equality Unit 8/9/03 23/4/04 
			 Sheena Sullivan PKF Tax Specialist in the Small Business Service 7/4/03 31/3/04 
			 Alan Talbot BAE Systems Assistant Director in Business Relations 31/3/03 30/3/05 
			 Peter Tandy British Nuclear Fuel plc Assistant Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/4/02 31/3/04 
			 Gary Taylor British Nuclear Fuel plc Assistant Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/4/02 31/3/04 
			 Helen Taylor Ernst & Young Director Internal Audit 18/3/02 21/3/04 
			 Michael Thomas Middle East Association Export Promoter in UK T&I 2/1/01 1/1/04 
			 Bob Thompson Shell UK Products Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 6/1/03 5/1/05 
			 Ian Thompson Forensic Accounting Ltd. Investigator in Company Investigations 6/10/03 5/10/04 
			 Oliver Towers Rolls-Royce plc Deputy Director in the Aerospace Innovation And Growth Team in Business Relations 1/9/03 31/8/04 
			 Anil Vaidya Goldshield Pharmaceuticals Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/3/00 28/2/04 
			 John Varney Nottingham Trent University Deputy Director in Europe and World Trade 1/9/02 26/10/04 
			 John Vernon Drinks Marketing Consortium Export Promoter in UK T&I 14/2/00 14/2/04 
			 Alan Vicars British Nuclear Fuel plc Assistant Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/4/02 31/3/04 
			 John Vimpany Exhibition Consultants Ltd Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/9/03 31/8/05 
			 John von Speyr DSL Consultants Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/10/02 3/10/03 
			 Trevor Vyze British Standards Institute Manager in Facilitating Innovation 16/3/02 15/3/04 
			 James Walpole BP Amoco Deputy Director in Business Relations 2/1/01 31/3/04 
			 David Warner British Nuclear Fuel plc Assistant Director in the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit 1/4/02 31/3/04 
			 David Waters AMEC Export Promoter in UK T&I 2/4/01 31/3/04 
			 Peter Watford Commonwealth Business Council Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/10/02 31/8/04 
			 Frank Watson IBM (UK) Deputy Director in the Office of Science & Technology 2/2/04 28/1/05 
			 Peter Whateley IBM (UK) Assistant Director in Business Relations 6/5/03 6/5/04 
			 David Williams Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Export Promoter in UK T&I 7/8/00 6/8/04 
			 Barbara Wilson Corgi Hosiery Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/9/01 31/8/04 
			 Edward Wilson Vexamus Water Ltd. Export Promoter in UK T&I 2/9/02 2/9/04 
			 Tony Woodhouse GKN Export Promoter in UK T&I 1/6/99 31/5/04 
			 Gordon Wright BAE Systems plc Export Promoter in UK T&I 21/7/03 20/7/05

World Trade Organisation

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will remove at least two of the Singapore issues from the remaining trade negotiations in the interest of multilateral trade.

Mike O'Brien: EU Trade Ministers agreed on 2 December 2003 that the European Community should "unbundle" the four Singapore issues and explore alternative, more flexible approaches, including the possibility of removing some, or all, of the Singapore issues from the Doha Round.
	The UK has made clear since before Cancun that we do not see investment and competition as priorities in the Doha Development Agenda. It is clear there is substantial opposition to negotiations on these issues in the WTO on the part of developing countries and we should take account of these views.

Small Business Representation

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the small business representatives on each of the Department's group boards.

Nigel Griffiths: Of the current group board independent members, four have a background in small business: Richard Maudslay (Business Group Board), Patricia Calway (Fair Markets Group Board), Caroline Whitfield (Innovation Group Board) and Shahzad Khan MBE (Innovation Group Board).
	Advice to DTI on the needs of small business comes from the Small Business Council (SBC) and the Ethnic Minority Business Forum (EMBF). The SBC advises on the needs of existing and potential small business in order to increase their opportunities for success and growth. It also advises on the effects on such businesses of the activities and potential activities of Government. The EMBF advises on the right help and advice that black and ethnic minorities need to start and successfully grow their businesses. The majority of members of both these advisory non-departmental public bodies are small business representatives. Further information on both can be found on the Small Business Service website at www.sbs.gov.uk.

Smart Award Scheme

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to improve the effectiveness of the Smart scheme in increasing the profitability of award-winners' businesses.

Nigel Griffiths: Business Link engage with businesses in receipt of Smart as well as other SMEs to help them build their capability for growth.

UK Online for Business

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish the feedback received by her Department from stakeholders in UK online for business.

Nigel Griffiths: Useful feedback has been received from a variety of Intermediaries, major IT partners and business organisations on the value of the UK online for Business programme. The feedback is for internal use and is not being published.
	Some objective feedback came in the form of the report published by the Economist Intelligent Unit in 2003 on e-Readiness, which described UK online for business as one of the world's strongest and most innovative government projects supporting e-business.

University Challenge Seed Funds

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when it was decided to withdraw separate funding for University Challenge Seed Funds; and why this decision was taken.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government announced in July 2002 in its strategy document "Investing in Innovation— A strategy for science, engineering and technology", that it would increase the funds available for the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). In addition it would combine funding previously allocated to University Challenge and Science Enterprise Challenge into the budget for the second round of HEIF. In this way the Government is supporting knowledge transfer in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through a single stream of funding, alongside that for teaching and research, simplifying the funding landscape and allowing HEIs greater flexibility in targeting available resources at their identified priority areas.
	£45 million has been invested in University Challenge since 1999
	£78 million was invested in the first round of the Higher Education Innovation Fund (three year period)
	£187 million will be invested in the second round of the Higher Education Innovation Fund (two year period)

Vehicle Disposal

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures will be put in place to inform the public about the disposal of end of life vehicles in relation to the End of Life Vehicles Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: A number of publicity initiatives are to be taken, at the most appropriate times, to inform the public about their rights and responsibilities in regard to end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), as a consequence of the regulations which bring the ELV Directive into effect in the UK. Aspects of the regulations to be covered by publicity include the Certificate of Destruction to be issued by authorised treatment facilities, and the entitlement to "free take-back" of ELVs, of any age, from 2007. The system which the Government is proposing to introduce to deliver this last aspect is set down in a Consultation Document, issued by the Department on 4 February, entitled the End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2004, copies of which have beenplaced in the Libraries of the House.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee's protection role on the Burma-Thailand border.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: In 2001–02, DFID provided £1 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) programme 'Care and Protection for Refugees from Burma in Thailand'. This programme was targeted towards the Burmese refugees residing in Thailand (approximately 110,000 at that time) and focused on:
	ensuring the admission and reception procedures for new arrivals in Thailand adhere to international standards;
	seeking access to asylum seekers at the border and working with the Thai authorities to establish a fair and transparent procedure for determining admission of new asylum seekers;
	continuing to search for a durable solution for this refugee population;
	facilitating, in cooperation with other UN agencies and NGOs, provision of care and social support to the refugee population;
	continuing to promote accession to the 1951 Refugee Convention.
	UNHCR faced many challenges during the period of activities which impacted on its ability to progress its objectives, including lack of access to both sides of the Thai-Burma border, continued insecurity in border areas of Burma, and continued problems with the definition and application of refugee admission criteria in Thailand. However, despite these constraints UNHCR continued the critical dialogue with the Government of Thailand on protection-related issues, including conducting re-registration of new arrivals and continued advocacy to prevent forced return. UNHCR also liaised with operational UN agencies and NGOs to facilitate provision of adequate living conditions within the camps. Within its care and protection activities, UNHCR implemented programmes to identify, prevent and respond to sexual and gender based violence, provided vocational training for refugees, educational materials for school age children, and mine risk education.
	In addition to supporting UNHCR Thailand, my Department also provided £607,000 to UNHCR Burma in 2002–03. The UNHCR Burma programme focused on Repatriation and Reintegration for a target population of 86,000 returnees from Bangladesh in Northern Rakhine State. Its purpose is to help establish conditions for safe, dignified, and sustainable reintegration of Burmese refugees and to mitigate potential obstacles to successful reintegration. The programme includes monitoring of forced labour, issuance of identity and residency documents for new returnees, training for returnees in language and market oriented skills, health and education services through the Myanmar Mother and Child Welfare Association, and training for the authorities in refugee and human rights law.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will break down by programme his Department's £4 million allocation for the bilateral programme for Burma.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID's projected expenditure on bilateral programmes from its Burma aid framework allocation during the current financial year breaks down as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 a. Grant to UN Administered Fund for HIV/AIDS in Burma 2,200,000 
			 b. DFID financed Technical Assistance for work of UN HIV/Aids Fund 120,779 
			 c. Grant to the BBC World Service Trust for Radio Soap Opera in support of HIV/AIDS education and improved livelihoods of poor people 588,972 
			 d. Grant to NGO for Basic Health Care Programmes in Wa and Kachin 125,071 
			 e. Grant to Christian Aid for Burmese Border Consortium food aid and relief programmes on the Thailand-Burma Border 450,000 
			 g. Grant to World Health Organisation (WHO) for co-ordination of health services at Thailand-Burma Border 220,000 
			 h. Small grants to civil society organisations 90,000 
			 Total projected expenditure in 2003–04 3,794,822

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance with the supply of medicines his Department is providing for the 995 Karenni and 678 Karen internally displaced persons in the Muthraw district of Burma.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID is not providing assistance with the supply of medicines that target internally displaced persons in the Muthraw district of Burma. We provide support, through the Small Grants Scheme managed by the British Embassy in Rangoon, for a community based organisation to operate a mobile medical clinic in Kayah State which has also visited the Muthraw district.

CDC

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost of corporate entertaining by CDC was for the last seven years; and what the budget for corporate entertainment by (a) CDC and (b) Actis is for the next three years.

Hilary Benn: pursuant to his reply, 1 March 2004, Official Report, c. 618W
	The costs of corporate entertainment by CDC over the last seven years were as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1997 66,000 
			 1998 101,000 
			 1999 114,000 
			 2000 88,000 
			 2001 78,000 
			 2002 81,000 
			 2003 66,000 
		
	
	The corporate entertainment budgets for CDC and Actis for 2004 are £16,000 and £118,000 respectively. Although the combined level is higher than recent years, it reflects the need for the new investment management company, Actis, to establish itself in all its the markets worldwide, to promote its investment Funds and to attract third party investors.
	Budgets for subsequent years have not yet been set.

Iraq

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Agricultural Reconstruction and Development Programme for Iraq to ensure that poorer farmers do not suffer from higher prices for irrigation water; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The USAID-supported Agricultural Reconstruction and Development Program for Iraq (ARDI) is undertaking surveys in the agriculture and natural resources sectors in Iraq in order to provide information for future policy-making by the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources.
	As part of this work, ARDI advisers are working with the Ministry to consider options for the reform of tariffs on water used in irrigation. The aims of such reforms would be to generate revenue to cover the operating expenses of the irrigation system and to encourage the efficient and sustainable use of scarce water resources.
	DFID secondees are not closely involved in the agriculture or water resources sectors in Iraq. However, advisers from other Coalition partners in these sectors are aware of the need to put in put in place measures which will improve the situation of poor farmers on a long-term sustainable basis.

United Nations Officials Transcripts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on which dates his Department received transcripts of telephone conversations of the Secretary General of the UN; what action was taken in response to the information they contained; and whether the Department raised concerns about how the transcripts were acquired with the relevant authorities.

Hilary Benn: It has been the practice of successive Governments neither to confirm nor to deny allegations relating to the security and intelligence agencies.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Public Record Office (Irish Historical Documents)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list documents on Kilmainham Gaol held by the Public Record Office.

Christopher Leslie: Information is available on the National Archives' electronic catalogue, available at www. nationalarchives.gov.uk An initial search revealed that some of the documents are held in the following series: AO2, HO45, SP34 and Tl. The National Archives of Ireland in Dublin also holds some material relating to Kilmainham Gaol.

Public Record Office (Irish Historical Documents)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the documents relating to the courts-martial of those indicted following the Easter Uprising in Dublin in 1916 held by the Public Record Office.

Christopher Leslie: Information is held on the National Archives' electronic catalogue, available on the internet at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk An initial search revealed that some documents are held in Series WO71 and WO141.

Public Record Office (Irish Historical Documents)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs which documents are held by the Public Record Office written by (a) P. H. Pearse, (b) Thomas J. Clarke, (c) Thomas Macdonagh, (d) Edward Daly, (e) William Pearse, (f) Michael O'Hanrahan, (g) Joseph Mary Plunkett, (h) John MacBride, (i) Sean Heuston, (j) Michael Mallin, (k) Eamonn Ceannt, (l) Con Colbert, (m) Thomas Kent, (n) Sean MacDiarmada, (o) James Connolly and (p) Sir Roger Casement.

Christopher Leslie: It is not possible to identify documents which may have been written by the names listed, without detailed research into the records held by the National Archives. Because this research would have to cover a very large number of documents, a full answer to the hon. Member could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, more information about Government records which have been transferred to the National Archives can be accessed through its web site at: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Small Claims Track

Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what percentage of the cost of running the small claims track was recovered from the payment of court fees by litigants in the last period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what percentage of the costs of the small claims track in Middlesbrough court was recovered from court fees paid by litigants in the last year for which figures are available.

Christopher Leslie: The approximate unit cost to the Court Service of processing a claim from issue of proceedings to judgment at a small-claims hearing in 2002–03 was £527. For the purpose of calculating the unit cost the divisor is the number of claims allocated to the small claims track. In 2002–03 this was 80,496 (England and Wales). The total cost of small claims that are defended is therefore £42,421,392.
	The percentage of cost recovered from fees paid by litigants was 103 per cent. This allows for income and cost associated with small claims that did not go to a hearing or were not defended. The cost of the small claims hearing itself, (included in the figure of £527) is based on the average length of a small claims hearing published in Judicial Statistics 2002 (table 4.11).
	In 2003 a total of 482 small claims were allocated to track at Middlesbrough county court, indicating a total cost of £254,014. It is impossible to carry out valid comparisons of cost and income at local level. This is because a significant proportion of fee revenue is accounted for centrally at the Claims Production Centre (Northampton). The CPC issues claims on behalf of all county courts in England and Wales.

University Complaints

Joan Walley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the Government's policy is in respect of the availability of legal aid for those intending to refer university complaints to the proposed new Independent Adjudicator as set out in the Higher Education Bill; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: It is intended that the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA), which has been established by the higher education sector, will be the designated operator of a scheme for the review of student complaints should the Higher Education Bill become law. The OIA is not a judicial scheme. It operates along similar lines to other Ombudsman-type schemes and will be free to complainants, and therefore legal aid should be unnecessary.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government about the country's procedure for trial.

Mike O'Brien: We are concerned about the Burmese authorities' procedure for trial. We believe that Burmese trials continue to fall short of international fair trial standards. I regularly raise our concerns on human rights issues with the Burmese authorities, most recently when I met the Burmese ambassador on 23 February.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the Burmese Government to review the sentences of those political prisoners who have been sentenced in trials which did not meet international standards of fairness;
	(2)  what representations he has made to the Government of Burma about the continued detention of 23 people arrested on 30 May 2003.

Mike O'Brien: We have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to fully release all political prisoners and to allow them to play an active role in national reconciliation in Burma.
	We are concerned about the Burmese authorities' procedure for trial. We believe that Burmese trials continue to fall short of international fair trial standards. I regularly raise our concerns on human rights issues with the Burmese authorities, most recently when I met the Burmese ambassador on 23 February.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the Burmese Government about ensuring that the National Convention incorporates extensive human rights safeguards in a new constitution for the country;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the Burmese Government about the timetable for reconvening the National Convention to draft a new constitution and conduct the transition to democracy.

Mike O'Brien: The Burmese ambassador called on me on 23 February to discuss the State Peace and Development Council's plans to reconvene the National Convention. We had a full and frank discussion. I made clear that the National Convention should be an inclusive, transparent process with a clear timeframe. I have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to ensure that human rights in Burma are fully respected.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of access of the Rohingya people in Burma to (a) markets, (b) employment, (c) education and (d) medical care.

Mike O'Brien: Many people in all parts of Burma have only limited access to employment opportunities, education, and medical care. These problems are compounded in Northern Rakhine State by the additional travel and other restrictions placed on the Rohingya people, which in some cases also limit their access to markets. We provide support to the United Nation High Commission for Refugees who are working to improve conditions in Northern Rakhine State.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of the confiscation of Rohingya land for (a) use as Burmese army camps and (b) the settlement of other people.

Mike O'Brien: We are aware of allegations of land confiscation but are unable to independently verify these.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the extent of the use of human minesweepers in Burma.

Mike O'Brien: We are aware of allegations of instances where villagers or prisoners have been forced to assist with mine clearance, including by inappropriate and dangerous methods. The 2003 Landmine Monitor, published by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, alleges three cases of 'atrocity demining' in 2002.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the extent of the destruction of crops and food supplies by the State Peace and Development Council in Burma.

Mike O'Brien: Instances of destruction of crops and food supplies by the State Peace and Development Council forces is rare in the large parts of the country. However, there are credible reports of such activity in areas where armed conflict continues.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of (a) looting, (b) burning and (c) extortion by the State Peace and Development Council in Burma.

Mike O'Brien: Instances of looting and burning by State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) forces or other authorities are rare in the majority of the country. However, in the areas where armed conflict continues there are numerous allegations of looting and burning of property, and other human rights abuse, by SPDC forces. We judge that some of these allegations are credible. Restrictions on travel by British embassy personnel in Rangoon makes it impossible to independently verify individual allegations.
	A certain level of extortion is widespread throughout the country. At the lowest and most common level it includes the extraction of small sums of money, by police and military personnel, at roadside and other checkpoints. We are aware also of frequent instances where 'contributions' to local projects, entertainment for VIP guests, additional charges for electricity and other services, etc. are extracted from householders under threat of jail sentences or other punishment, by civilian authorities.
	Within conflict affected areas there are reports of threats and extortion being used, by military and anti-SPDC forces, to extract food, labour, information and other assistance from local villagers.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of deaths from the use of landmines in Burma in each of the last five years.

Mike O'Brien: A reliable estimate of the number of deaths from landmines is not possible, since many deaths (as opposed to injuries which require medical treatment) are unreported and unrecorded.
	The 2003 Landmine Monitor (published by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines) notes that in 2002 there were at least 114 landmine casualties reported in Burma, but only one of these, a military officer, was reported as being killed. It also notes that the number of landmine casualties appears to have been increasing in the last 5–6 years.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of internally displaced people in Burma who have died of starvation in each of the last five years.

Mike O'Brien: We do not hold figures for the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Burma who have died of starvation in each of the last five years.
	IDPs are largely concentrated in areas where there is continuing conflict between the State Peace and Development Council forces and forces belonging to ethnic nationality organisations. Some have been forcibly relocated to 'resettlement' camps and villages. Others remain in hiding in remote areas. All IDPs, particularly those hiding in the jungle, are extremely vulnerable to a range of ills—including starvation, but also to disease, lack of medical care, lack of shelter, ongoing fighting and abuse by armed forces.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last had contact with the Karenni National Progressive Party; and what was discussed at that meeting.

Mike O'Brien: I have had no direct contact with the Karenni National Progressive Party.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Burma about the Emergency Provisions Act 1950.

Mike O'Brien: None.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people in Karenni state who remain in need of (a) food, (b) shelter and (c) protection.

Mike O'Brien: Karenni State has an estimated population of 259,000 people. It is one of the least developed areas in Burma. There are large numbers of people who suffer from deficiencies in food, shelter and protection (as there are in other parts of Burma).
	Between two thirds and three quarters of the area of the state is believed to be under the control of various armed ethnic organisations who have reached ceasefire agreements with the State Peace and Development Council. Although many problems remain in these ceasefire areas, the situation for ordinary villagers is better than in the areas where armed conflict continues.
	In the areas of Karenni State where armed conflict continues, food, shelter and protection needs are particularly severe. Population displacement means that the numbers of people involved is probably considerably less than a quarter of the state's population. Among the most vulnerable are those internally displaced people who have been forced to leave their villages and who remain hiding in the jungle. Accurate estimates are hard to obtain, but their number probably reaches several thousand.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the numbers of Burmese State Peace and Development Council soldiers brought into Karenni state from Karen areas since 1 December 2003.

Mike O'Brien: We are aware of reports of increased military activity in southern Karenni State since December 2003. We are also aware of reports of an associated increase in instances of human rights abuse and internally displaced people. Some estimates of numbers and disposition of troops are available. The most comprehensive of these are provided by the Karen People's Progressive Party and Karen National Union forces and publicised by groups such as the Free Burma Rangers. They state that up to 1,000 new troops have been brought into the region. Other evidence for increased activity in this area is quite strong. But independent verification of troop numbers is not possible.

Iraq

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he received advice from officials within his Department that a war against Iraq might be illegal.

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government received advice on the legality of war on Iraq from Government legal advisers which did not concur with the advice given by the Attorney-General.

Jack Straw: The Government's legal advice on the legal basis for the use of force against Iraq came from the Attorney-General, who made a statement in Parliament on 17 March 2003 which set out his view.
	I supplemented this with a letter of the same date to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, which was also sent to every right hon. and hon. Member.

Iraq

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the Permanent Secretary in his Department was first informed as to which Iraqi weapons the 45 minute claim in the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction dossier applied.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 10 February 2004, Official Report, column 1305W. The Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was informed of the particular weapons referred to in similar circumstances and with the same timings as the Foreign Secretary.

Russia

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions against Russia are planned by EU member states if Russia does not accept the terms of the partnership and trade agreements within the European Union.

Mike O'Brien: We are currently working on the basis that Russia will agree to extend the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) to the enlarged EU from May 1.
	The European Commission, in consultation with member states, is seeking to agree a text of a Draft Protocol with Russia to extend the PCA, while expressing willingness to address Russia's legitimate concerns about EU enlargement.
	The Commission has yet to present formal proposals to member states for sanctions in the event that Russia fails to extend the PCA to the new member states from 1 May.

Secret Intelligence Service

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether members of the secret intelligence services were in New York in February 2003.

Jack Straw: In line with the long-standing practice of successive Governments, to comment on the deployment of security and intelligence service officials would be inappropriate. The security and intelligence services are not within the scope of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Part 1, paragraph 6).

Sudan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, 
	(1)  what action he is taking to find an independent mediator, acceptable to both sides, to bring an end to the conflict in Darfur;
	(2)  what contribution the UK will make to ensure that the peace agreement in Darfur is maintained.

Chris Mullin: We are urging all parties to the conflict in Darfur to re-establish a ceasefire, preferably with international monitoring, permit humanitarian access to all those in need, and resume talks to find a peaceful solution.
	We are in almost daily contact with the Government of Sudan and the various Darfur groups. We are working closely with the EU and the US, and have offered to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the conflict. We have suggested that there may be a role for the international community, including the UK, in assisting in the implementation of a peace agreement.

United Nations (Surveillance)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have received from the Governments of (a) Angola, (b) Cameroon, (c) Chile, (d) Guinea, (e) Mexico and (f) Pakistan in respect of allegations made by Katharine Gun that the diplomatic missions of these states in New York were electronically bugged by British and United States security services.

Jack Straw: The British embassy in Mexico City received a Note Verbale from the Mexican Government on this issue. We have not received such correspondence from the other countries mentioned.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Anaesthetists

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many anaesthetists were working in the NHS in Northern Ireland in each year since 2000, broken down by health board area.

Angela Smith: The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		Number of anaesthetists working within HSS(6) trusts as at 31December 2000, 31December 2001, 31December 2002 and 31December 2003 broken down by health board area (headcount and WTE)
		
			  31 December 2000 31 December 2001 31 December 2002 31 December 2003 
			 Health board Headcount WTE(7) Headcount WTE(7) Headcount WTE(7) Headcount WTE(7) 
		
		
			 Eastern board 101 97.87 101 98.78 107 103.20 116 112.20 
			 Northern board 14 13.64 17 16.64 17 16.64 16 15.64 
			 Western board 20 20.00 21 21.00 22 22.00 26 25.50 
			 Southern board 19 19.00 19 19.00 20 20.00 20 19.71 
			 Total 154 150.51 158 155.42 166 161.84 178 173.05 
		
	
	(6) Health and Social Services.
	(7) Whole-time equivalent.

Curriculum

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what ways the Northern Ireland curriculum differs from the National Curriculum.

Jane Kennedy: The National Curriculum is similar, though not identical, to the Northern Ireland Curriculum. Both prescribe a number of compulsory subjects at different key stages. The main difference lies in the fact that Northern Ireland has six compulsory cross-curricular themes which are taught through a range of subjects. These cover Information Technology, Education for Mutual Understanding, Cultural Heritage, Health Education and at post primary level, Economic Awareness and Careers Education.

Football

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2004, Official Report, column 161W, on football, on what governance and accountability arrangements agreement has not yet been reached.

Angela Smith: Agreement has not yet been reached between the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Irish Football Association (IFA) on recommendations for the re-structuring of the IFA that have emerged from an independent economic appraisal process commissioned by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland in accordance with normal accountability arrangements for public funds.

New Acute Hospital (South-west)

Tony Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations have been held on the location for the new acute hospital in the South West of Northern Ireland; what discussions he has had on this with (a) his predecessor and (b) members of the suspended executive; and what views they held.

Angela Smith: The report of the Acute Hospitals Review Group, which included a recommendation on the location of the new acute hospital for the South West, was issued for consultation between 30 June 2001 and 31 October 2001. The paper "Developing Better Services: Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures", which set out proposals for future hospital services in Northern Ireland including the location of the new acute hospital for the South West, was issued for consultation between 12 June 2002 and 31 October 2002. I have had no discussions on this matter with my predecessor, Des Browne, or with former members of the Executive Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly. I have, however, held discussions with a number of MLAs who have requested to meet me to give me their views on the implications of the decision on the location for the new acute hospital for the South West. These views have extended from a wish to have the decision overturned to a concern to have enhanced services for people in the Tyrone and Mid-Ulster area.

New Schools

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) value and (b) number of new schools built in Northern Ireland is in the last five years for which records are available.

Jane Kennedy: Records are not readily available about the value and number of new schools that have been built in each of the last five years. However, over the last five years significant investment has been announced for new schools, and for major extensions and refurbishment of existing schools, as follows:
	
		
			  Projects £ million 
		
		
			 1999–2000 16 67.1 
			 2000–01 18 72.2 
			 2001–02 25 132 
			 2002–03 33 175.2 
			 2003–04 43 263 
		
	
	This is a total of 135 school projects at a total value of £709.5 million.

Threshold Payments

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what schools are experiencing a financial deficit as a result of the payment of threshold payments, broken down by area board; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Teachers' threshold costs are part of a teacher's salary. They form only one element of a range of costs that have to be met from a school's budget. It is not possible to establish the precise reasons why a school's delegated budget is in deficit as there can be many factors involved.

Windsor Park, Belfast

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what element of soccer strategy money has been set aside for improvements to Windsor Park, Belfast.

Angela Smith: To date no element of Soccer Strategy money has been set aside for improvements to Windsor Park, Belfast. However, an indicative sum of £3 million is earmarked from Soccer Strategy money for playing facilities generally. The playing facilities component of the Soccer Strategy is currently being subjected to independent economic appraisal. Improvements to Windsor Park could be considered as part of that component. I will, though, wish to be satisfied that recommendations in relation to Governance and that accountability arrangements provide appropriate safeguards for public funds, before any element of Soccer Strategy money, including that for playing facilities, could be released.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Child Care

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many civil servants in his Department are assisting with the review of childcare policy; what (a) organisations from outside the Department and (b) other Departments are assisting with the review; what body or committee within the Department is co-ordinating the review; when he expects to publish the review; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 2 March 2004
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Childcare Review was announced by the Chancellor in Budget 2003. An inter-departmental ministerial steering group was set up to oversee the review, jointly chaired by Margaret Hodge and me.
	A working group of officials, supporting the ministerial steering group, is chaired by HM Treasury, with representatives from the Department for Education and Skills, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, the Women and Equality Unit, the Social Exclusion Unit at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and No. 10. Within HM Treasury and the Sure Start Unit most of the work being done by the review would have been required anyway for the Spending Review. There are no civil servants working full time on the Childcare Review and those working on it have taken it on as part of their normal responsibilities.
	The review has consulted external bodies, receiving 50 responses, and held bi-lateral meetings with the main groups working in this area.
	The results of the review will be reflected in the Spending Review, the outcome of which will be published in the summer.

Foundation Degrees

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) women and (b) men (i) applied to, (ii) enrolled in and (iii) graduated in courses in higher education in each year since 1997, broken down by (A) humanities, social studies and languages courses, (B) physical sciences and mathematics courses, (C) engineering and technology courses, (D) medicine and dentistry and (E) other courses.

Alan Johnson: The information requested is taken from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Figures are given in the table.
	I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in replying. There have been an unusually high number of questions over the last few months, and the data for 2003 graduates did not become available until after Christmas.
	
		Applicants, accepted applicants and first degree graduates by subject and gender. 1997/98 to 2002/03
		
			  Applicants 
			 Academic year/subject Men Women Total 
		
		
			 1997/98
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 31,977 51,068 83,045 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 30,317 10,437 40,754 
			 Engineering and Technology 23,104 3,375 26,479 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 7,076 7,417 14,493 
			 Other Courses 128,259 165,751 294,010 
			 Total 220,733 238,048 458,781 
			 
			 1998/99
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 29,852 49,298 79,150 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 31,798 11,079 42,877 
			 Engineering and Technology 21,541 3,295 24,836 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 6,730 7,168 13,898 
			 Other Courses 122,804 162,892 285,696 
			 Total 212,725 233,732 446,457 
			 
			 1999/2000
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 29,268 48,016 77,284 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 34,166 11,856 46,022 
			 Engineering and Technology 20,233 3,006 23,239 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 5,927 6,862 12,789 
			 Other Courses 120,619 162,978 283,597 
			 Total 210,213 232,718 442,931 
			 
			 2000/01
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 28,454 47,353 75,807 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 35,960 12,480 48,440 
			 Engineering and Technology 19,258 2,926 22,184 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 5,301 6,620 11,921 
			 Other Courses 119,456 164,220 283,676 
			 Total 208,429 233,599 442,028 
			 
			 2001/02
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 28,919 47,911 76,830 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 39,669 13,128 52,797 
			 Engineering and Technology 18,485 2,765 21,250 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 5,069 6,750 11,819 
			 Other Courses 122,360 168,777 291,137 
			 Total 214,502 239,331 453,833 
			 
			 2002/03
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 29,322 44,401 73,723 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 35,367 12,404 47,771 
			 Engineering and Technology 19,899 2,835 22,734 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 5,668 7,976 13,644 
			 Other Courses 127,027 176,466 303,493 
			 Total 217,283 244,082 461,365 
		
	
	
		
			Accepted applicants 
			 Academic year/subject Men Women Total 
		
		
			 1997/98
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 26,934 43,784 70,718 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 29,536 11,152 40,688 
			 Engineering and Technology 22,316 3,717 26,033 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,713 3,158 5,871 
			 Other Courses 82,725 110,303 193,028 
			 Total 164,224 172,114 336,338 
			 
			 1998/99
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 25,156 42,051 67,207 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 30,551 1,375 41,926 
			 Engineering and Technology 20,743 3,511 24,254 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,699 3,263 5,962 
			 Other Courses 80,330 110,109 190,439 
			 Total 159,479 170,309 329,788 
			 
			 1999/2000
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 25,064 41,970 67,034 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 32,273 12,113 44,386 
			 Engineering and Technology 19,568 3,394 22,962 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,721 3,473 6,194 
			 Other Courses 80,714 113,304 194,018 
			 Total 160,340 174,254 334,594 
			 
			 2000/01
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 25,299 42,265 67,564 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 33,096 12,390 45,486 
			 Engineering and Technology 18,647 3,266 21,913 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,825 3,767 6,592 
			 Other Courses 81,614 116,578 198,192 
			 Total 161,481 178,266 339,747 
			 
			 2001/02
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 26,455 44,118 70,573 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 36,112 12,542 48,654 
			 Engineering and Technology 18,297 3,243 21,540 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,988 4,173 7,161 
			 Other Courses 86,448 123,665 210,113 
			 Total 170,300 187,741 358,041 
			 
			 2002/03
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 27,573 42,651 70,224 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 33,465 12,435 45,900 
			 Engineering and Technology 20,782 3,576 24,358 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 3,088 4,749 7,837 
			 Other Courses 89,460 130,336 219,796 
			 Total 174,368 193,747 368,115 
		
	
	
		
			First degree graduates 
			 Academic year/subject Men Women Total 
		
		
			 1997/98
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 22,516 34,888 57,404 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 18,303 8,923 27,226 
			 Engineering and Technology 19,321 3,253 22,574 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,876 3,024 5,900 
			 Other Courses 59,274 86,375 145,649 
			 Total 122,290 136,463 258,753 
			 
			 1998/99
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 21,925 36,007 57,932 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 18,674 9,012 27,686 
			 Engineering and Technology 18,758 3,254 22,012 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,849 2,993 5,842 
			 Other Courses 59,470 90,729 150,199 
			 Total 121,676 141,995 263,671 
			 1999/2000 
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 22,387 37,519 59,906 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 19,327 9,162 28,489 
			 Engineering and Technology 17,337 3,214 20,551 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,881 3,085 5,966  
			 Other Courses 59,249 91,106 150,355 
			 Total 121,181 144,086 265,267 
			 
			 2000/01
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 21,370 37,051 58,421 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 20,175 9,570 29,745 
			 Engineering and Technology 16,734 3,068 19,802 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,799 3,165 5,964 
			 Other Courses 57,793 93,621 151,414 
			 Total 118,871 146,475 265,346 
			 
			 2001/02
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 20,593 36,334 56,927 
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 20,573 9,537 30,110 
			 Engineering and Technology 16,770 2,990 19,760 
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,786 3,293 6,079 
			 Other Courses 58,102 96,076 154,178 
			 Total 118,824 148,230 267,054 
			 
			 2002/03
			 Humanities, Law, Social Studies and Languages 24,886 43,872 68,758  
			 Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics 23,202 11,464 34,666  
			 Engineering and Technology 15,702 3,072 18,774  
			 Medicine and Dentistry 2,777 3,337 6,114  
			 Other Courses 53,730 91,378 145,108  
			 Total 120,297 153,123 273,420 
		
	
	Source:
	Universities and Colleges Admissions Service and Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Foundation Degrees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list by education authority in England and Wales the proportion of school leavers who have entered higher education in each of the last five years.

Alan Johnson: The available information is taken from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and covers applicants, domiciled in English Local Education Authorities, accepted onto full time first degree and HND courses at UK institutions. Figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
	Figures are given in a table that has been placed in the Library.

School Meals

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to reduce the amount of salt in school meals; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what research his Department has carried out into the salt content of school meals; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: The Department's guidance 'Healthy School Lunches' makes various recommendations for reducing salt in cooking and what to use as an alternative. The guidance can be viewed on the website www.dfes.gov.uk/schoollunches
	The Department for Education and Skills, together with the Food Standards Agency, has taken forward a project looking at school meals in 80 secondary schools in England. The project is assessing the food provided; consumption; and nutrient intake. The project is also looking at the use of salt in food preparation and availability at meal times. The results of this research will be published late spring 2004, and will inform future policy decisions on this issue.

School Photos

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  whether he plans to issue clarification to local education authorities on the guidance he has issued on the photographing of children at school; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when the hon. Member for Chelmsford will receive an answer to his question reference 150531 which received a holding answer on 26 January 2004.

Margaret Hodge: holding answers 26 January 2004 and 2 March 2004
	My Department has published information on its website in response to inquiries from schools about using video and photographic images of pupils in school publications, or on the internet. In brief, that advises that schools should obtain parental permission to publish images of pupils, they should not identify individual pupils, and that photographs of pupils should be kept secure.
	We were told last year that some local authorities and schools had misinterpreted that advice: either applying it to the use of cameras and videos by parents when filming or photographing school events, or using it to form the basis of policies relating to the publication of photographs in local newspapers. As a result we revised the advice to make it clear that it does not apply to those areas and that schools and local education authorities are free to set their own policies about those issues in light of local circumstances and sensitivities.
	The Newspaper Society and the Society of Editors recently raised concerns about some schools unwillingness to allow the publication of photographs of pupils in the local press. Representatives of both societies met with officials of my Department last week to discuss the issues and officials agreed to consider amplifying the information on the Department's website about that.

Schools (Vending Machines)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many schools he estimates raise funds from food and drink vending machines;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of schools raising funds from food and drink vending machines.

David Miliband: This information is not collected centrally. Schools are free to install food and drink vending machines and collect income from them. We would encourage schools to consider doing this as part of a whole-school approach to promoting a healthy diet rather than for purely financial reasons, and to strike a sensible balance in the food and drink sold. This policy underlies the 'Food in Schools' initiative, which will include projects on healthier vending as announced on 5 January 2004.

Specialist Schools

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list each (a) specialist school and (b) non-specialist school designated under section 104 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, together with the number of pupils they have selected in each of the last six years.

David Miliband: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Student Loan/Debt

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the outstanding stock of student debt owed to public funds was (a) on 1 March 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available; and how much of each sum was (i) debt in arrears and (ii) debt written off.

Melanie Johnson: The total amount outstanding for publicly-owned debt, the arrears value, and the amount which has been written off or cancelled during the financial year are shown in the table. The data reflect the position at the end of each financial year. Data at 1 March are not available. The answer refers to both mortgage-style and income-contingent loans.
	
		Publicly-owned student loan debt: United Kingdom -- £ million
		
			  1996–97 2001–02(8) 2002–03(8) 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Total amount outstanding at the end of the financial year(9) , (10) 2,691.0 8,394.0 10,827.5 
			 Of which:
			 Arrears value(11) 11.2 131.7 (12)— 
			 
			 Amount written off/cancelled during the financial year 0.9 1.4 2.6 
		
	
	(8) Provisional.
	(9) The amount outstanding is after repayments of income contingent loans according to the latest known information. The SLC are notified of repayments by the Inland Revenue usually within one year of the end of the tax year they relate to, e.g. there will be some borrowers who have repaid their accounts in full in financial year 2002–03 but this will not be reported until the reconciliation has been made with SLC records.
	(10) Includes loans not yet due for repayment.
	(11) The arrears value is the overdue amount and does not include administration charges
	(12) Not yet available.
	Source:
	Student Loans Company.

Student Loan/Debt

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information on individual student debt is made available to credit rating agencies.

Alan Johnson: We do not make information on student loans available to credit reference agencies (CRAs) for credit scoring. CRAs do, however, have access to information in the public domain, including county court judgments (CCJs), which may be obtained by the Student Loans Company against default on student loans.

Student Loan/Debt

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what order of precedence state student debt has in relation to other creditors in personal bankruptcy proceedings.

Alan Johnson: Student debt in relation to other creditors in bankruptcy proceedings is treated like all other non-preferential debts and has no precedence over any of these debts.
	There is a clause amendment relating to preferential creditors which will be debated in the Higher Education Bill Standing Committee on Tuesday 9 March (afternoon session).

Student Loan/Debt

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to extend the incentive for teachers on repayment of student loans beyond June 2005.

Charles Clarke: An evaluation of the current pilot of the Repayment of Teachers' Loans scheme is under way. This will inform decisions on the future of the scheme.

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

John Stanley: To ask the Prime Minister on what date the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee was first informed as to which Iraqi weapons the 45-minutes claim in the Iraq's weapons of mass destruction dossier applied.

Tony Blair: The Joint Intelligence Committee Chairman was aware in September 2002 that the 45 minutes claim referred to battlefield munitions. As he told Lord Hutton, battlefield munitions were interpreted as covering multiple rocket launchers and artillery with ranges of up to 40 kilometres.

Iraq

John Stanley: To ask the Prime Minister on what date the Cabinet Secretary was first informed as to which Iraqi weapons the 45-minutes claim in the Iraq's weapons of mass destruction dossier applied.

Tony Blair: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer the Foreign Secretary gave him on 10 February 2004, Official Report, column 1305W. The Cabinet Secretary was informed of the particular weapons referred to in similar circumstances and with the same timings as my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Official Secrets Act

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Prime Minister who is to chair the review of the Official Secrets Act 1989; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The Official Secrets Act, as with all areas of the criminal law, is kept under review. The Home Secretary has made it clear that the Home Office is considering the implications of recent events for this legislation.

People's Peers

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister what the (a) attendance and (b) voting records have been of each People's Peer since each was appointed.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice), on 13 November 2003, Official Report, column 430W.

Sensory Deprivation

Adam Price: To ask the Prime Minister what the Government's policy is on the use of sensory deprivation by members of the security forces.

Tony Blair: Members of the armed forces may only use blindfolds on apprehended individuals for reasons of operation security, such as the movement through military sensitive areas. No other forms of sensory deprivation are permitted.

Temporary Staff

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Prime Minister how many staff his Office employs on a temporary basis through employment agencies; what percentage this is of total staff employed; and how much his Office paid employment agencies to supply temporary staff in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04 to the most recent date for which figures are available.

Tony Blair: As at 1 October 2003, there were five temporary members of staff, approximately 2.3 per cent. of the total staff in my Office. These were to fill vacancies in information technology and in secretarial and administrative support. Final cost figures for 2003–04 are not yet available.
	The total cost for temporary staff for 2001–02 was £99,249 (five temporary staff) and in 2002–03 was £165,554 (eight temporary staff).
	A difference in costs may occur because of the nature of the temporary post and the number of temporary staff required, for example to cover the significant increase in volume of correspondence to my Office resulting in over one million letters over the last year alone.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Supporting People Programme

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the funding levels for Supporting People are in Lancashire in 2003–04.

Yvette Cooper: The final Supporting People grant awarded to Lancashire in 2003–04 was £30,781,847 to meet the costs of housing related support services and in 2004–05 it is £30,728,125. The Lancashire Supporting People team also received £767,000 to help with the administration of the programme in 2003–04 rising to £814,000 in 2004–05.

Supporting People Programme

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future of the Supporting People programme.

Yvette Cooper: On 12 February, the Government published the report of the Independent Review and announced funding of £1.8 billion for the Supporting People programme in 2004–05.
	The review has found that there are wide variations in unit costs between authorities and that £1.8 billion is too much to pay for the legacy services. The Government are concerned to ensure that value for money is achieved and that valuable services for the vulnerable are sustained. That is why the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has asked the Audit Commission to undertake detailed inspections of local authorities with high unit costs, to inform the Spending Review and funding allocations for 2005–06.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also drawing up a comprehensive programme of work to take forward some of the recommendations of the review.

Supporting People Programme

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to announce funding levels for the authorities administering the Supporting People programme.

Yvette Cooper: On 12 February, the Government announced funding of £1.8 billion for the Supporting People programme in 2004–05. Administering Authorities were informed of their individual allocations on the same day.

Supporting People Programme

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer in connection with funding for the Supporting People programme in 2004–05.

Yvette Cooper: On 12 February, the Government announced funding of £1.8 billion for the Supporting People programme in 2004–05. This announcement followed an extensive consideration of the Independent Review report of the programme and discussions between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and partner Departments.

Supporting People Programme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the review of the budget of the Supporting People programme will be completed; and when the Supporting People teams will be advised of their budgets for 2004–05.

Yvette Cooper: The Independent Review of the Supporting People programme is now complete. On 12 February, the Government published the report of the Independent Review and announced funding of £1.8 billion for the Supporting People programme in 2004–05. Administering authorities were informed of their individual allocations on the same day.

Supporting People Programme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will implement procedures for Supporting People teams to bid for growth monies in making capital bids to the Housing Corporation.

Yvette Cooper: The 2004–05 Supporting People grant allocations includes a one off revenue allocation for the current round of Housing Corporation capital awards. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not intend introducing a Supporting People bidding round to provide additional revenue for new schemes in future years.
	The total Supporting People grant in England for 2004–05 is £1.8 billion. The management of these grants is now firmly a matter for each Supporting People Administering Authority.
	In the longer term the intention is to introduce an allocations formula. If authorities wish to commission new services the necessary revenue may be achieved through the re-modelling or de-commissioning of existing services.

Supporting People Programme

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on funding for the Supporting People programme in Lancashire for 2004–05.

Yvette Cooper: The Supporting People grant allocated to Lancashire for 2004–05 is £30,728,125 to meet the costs of housing related support services. In addition to this grant the Lancashire Supporting People team will also receive £814,000 during 2004–05 to help with the administration of the programme.

Supporting People Programme

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to redefine the definition of housing-related support under Supporting People.

Yvette Cooper: Following the recommendations in the Independent Review of the Supporting People Programme, we will be looking at whether there is a need to make clearer the definition of what is housing-related support.

Area-based Initiatives

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the projected budgets are for each area-based initiative which receives funding from his Department, for (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06, broken down by English region.

Yvette Cooper: The allocations issued to area-based initiatives by region for the years sought are set out in the following tables.
	
		2004–05 -- £ million
		
			 Region Coalfields Community Chests European Regional Development Fund Areas Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders(13) Liveability(13) 
		
		
			 North East 2.90 3.55 23.90 28.00 — 
			 North West 1.40 6.49 69.80 (13)89.00 — 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 6.20 3.36 50.70 (13)— — 
			 East Midlands 4.80 1.74 14.10 — — 
			 West Midlands 1.90 2.89 29.10 (13)— — 
			 East of England — 0.34 5.80 — — 
			 London — 5.31 9.40 — — 
			 South East 0.30 0.59 1.50 — — 
			 South West — 0.73 18.70 — — 
			 Total 17.50 25 223.00 150.00 40.50 
		
	
	
		£ million
		
			 Region Neighbourhood Management Neighbourhood Renewal Fund Neighbourhood Wardens/Street Wardens New Deal for Communities 
		
		
			 North East 2.34 59.43 0.85 27.78 
			 North West 3.28 124.54 2.86 41.25 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 2.58 62.76 1.95 27.10 
			 East Midlands 1.64 29.05 0.76 22.54 
			 West Midlands 1.88 56.28 2.18 39.90 
			 East of England 0.94 3.50 0.68 10.52 
			 London 2.11 100.74 6.95 62.30 
			 South East 1.18 4.56 1.78 12.40 
			 South West 1.64 9.13 1.17 12.80 
			 Total 17.59 449.99 19.18 256.59 
		
	
	
		2005–06 -- £ million
		
			 Region Coalfields Community Chests European Regional Development Fund Areas Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders(13) Liveability(13) 
		
		
			 North East — 3.55 23.90 38.00 — 
			 North West — 6.49 69.80 (13)101.00 — 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside — 3.36 50.70 (13)— — 
			 East Midlands — 1.74 14.10 — — 
			 West Midlands — 2.89 29.10 (13)— — 
			 East of England — 0.34 5.80 — — 
			 London — 5.31 9.40 — — 
			 South East — 0.59 1.50 — — 
			 South West — 0.73 18.70 — — 
			 Total 17.65 25.00 223.00 290.00 40.50 
		
	
	
		£ million
		
			 Region Neighbourhood Management Neighbourhood Renewal Fund Neighbourhood Wardens/Street Wardens New Deal for Communities 
		
		
			 North East 2.20 69.14 0.00 30.40 
			 North West 1.85 149.06 1.44 40.50 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 2.20 65.97 0.84 27.60 
			 East Midlands 1.35 33.62 0.36 19.68 
			 West Midlands 1.70 59.71 1.24 44.10 
			 East of England 0.85 3.50 0.00 10.61 
			 London 2.05 128.79 5.14 68.10 
			 South East 1.20 4.56 0.98 13.40 
			 South West 1.35 10.65 0.37 13.80 
			 Total 14.75 525.00 10.37 268.19 
		
	
	(13) Not all of the budget has yet been allocated to individual initiatives.

Audit Commission

Paul Beresford: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the gross expenditure of the Audit Commission was in each year since 1992–93; and how many full-time equivalent staff it had in each year.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is as follows:
	
		£000s
		
			  12 months to 31 October: 
			  2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 
		
		
			 Gross Income 217,100 213,917 178,524 144,345 111,596 105,156 
			 Gross Expenditure 216,300 213,695 178,119 143,940 110,561 104,850 
			 Operating surplus/deficit 800 222 405 405 1,035 306 
			 FTE 2,392 2,437 2,271 1,885 1,600 1,403 
		
	
	
		
			  7 months to 31 October 12 months to 31 March: 
			  1997 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 
		
		
			 Gross Income 57,574 91,945 92,395 88,881 82,864 77,479 63,765 
			 Gross Expenditure 58,236 93,175 92,509 88,979 82,788 74,334 61,639 
			 Operating surplus/deficit -662 -1,230 -114 -98 76 3,145 2,126 
			 FTE 1,306 1,300 1,324 1,354 1,299 1,265 1,154 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Source is the AC Statutory accounts published annually, except for the forecast to 31 October 2003 which is based on Management accounts.
	2. Operating expenditure is before notional costs of capital applied, in accordance with Government Accounting requirements.
	3. Increase in headcount and expenditure since 1992 reflect increases in the role and responsibilities of the AC, as follows:
	In April 2000 the Audit Commission was given additional responsibility for carrying out Best Value Inspections of local government services. During 2002 Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) was introduced and since rolled out to all local authorities.
	In 2003 the Commission took on responsibility for Inspecting Housing associations.
	Between 1997 and 1998 the AC gained new responsibilities for joint inspections of LEA's with Ofsted.
	In 1996 the AC gained new responsibilities for joint inspections of social service authorities with Department of Social Security

Casinos

Sue Doughty: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to create a separate use class for casinos.

Keith Hill: On 27 November 2003 I issued a Written Ministerial Statement setting out the changes the Government intends to make to the Town and Country Planning Use Classes Order. The Government have no plans to create a separate use class for casinos.

Casinos

Jim Knight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what requirements he is considering to link future casino developments to regeneration in areas of deprivation; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: As explained in the Joint Statement issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in August 2003, the Government consider that leisure developments of regional significance are likely to provide a major contribution to regeneration, and therefore expects regional planning bodies to identify suitable broad locations for such uses, where they deem it appropriate.
	The largest casinos (such as 'resort' casinos) are candidates for this approach, although the Government are still considering the types of casino to which regional planning policy should apply.

Council Tax

Paul Keetch: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the leader of Herefordshire Council about its setting of council tax in Herefordshire for 2004–05; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: My right hon. Friend, the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich and I have held a number of private meetings with individual local authorities to discuss their planned council tax rises for 2004–05. I met Herefordshire Council on 24 February.

Departmental Spending

David Curry: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost of information and public relations campaigns conducted by his Department was since May 2002.

Yvette Cooper: Since May 2002 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has spent £10,600,767 on information or public relations campaigns. The majority of this (93 per cent. or £9,858,713) was in connection with the on-going fire safety campaign.

Departmental Spending

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his office spent on information campaigns and advertising in 2003–04 to date.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has spent to date a total of £6,882,000 on information campaigns and advertising in the financial year 2003–04, of which 93 per cent. was for the Fire Safety Campaign.

Fire Safety

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for regulations specifying that (a) alarms and (b) sprinklers be present and functioning in all homes.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's approach to the provision of smoke alarms is primarily based upon regulation for new and altered buildings and education for elsewhere. Since 1992, the guidance which supports the fire safety aspects of the Building Regulations, known as Approved Document B, has suggested, in the case of new houses (including bungalows), that at least one electrically operated smoke detector should be provided on every storey. The requirement is enforced through the building control system.
	For existing properties we pursue a policy of persuasion and education on the benefits of such devices. The Government have undertaken a number of national television campaigns promoting smoke alarm ownership and maintenance. This has been very successful. Ownership has increased from nine per cent. in 1987 to its present figure of 80 per cent. of households.
	In addition, Part 1 of the Housing Bill provides for the replacement of the housing fitness standards by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which brings a risk assessment approach to the assessment of hazards in housing, including fire. Where a hazard from fire has been assessed, local authorities will have discretion to require such things as adequate means of escape from fire, appropriate fire detection and alarm systems and sprinkler systems. This does not mean that such measures will be required in every building but they may be appropriate where justified by the risk.
	In relation to sprinklers we commissioned, in April 2001, an extensive research project with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to consider fully the effectiveness of residential sprinklers. BRE published their research in February and a summary document of the work can be found on the Building Regulations section of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website www.odpm.gov.uk.
	As part of our current review of the fire safety aspects of the Building Regulations the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be considering the findings of the BRE research to see if there is a case for introducing amendments that enable us to target the provision of sprinklers in those new and altered residential premises where the people are considered to be most vulnerable.

Homeless Units (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless units operate in Lancashire; and how many homeless units are to be built in Lancashire.

Yvette Cooper: Specific information on the number of existing homeless dwellings operating in Lancashire and the number of homeless dwellings to be built in Lancashire is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	In 2003–04 there were an estimated completion of 160 dwellings in Lancashire for social rent of which some, for example, could be used to accommodate homeless households.

Housing Targets

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what targets his Department has set for (a) rented, (b) affordable and (c) part rent-part buy housing in council districts.

Keith Hill: No such targets have been set centrally. Local authorities are however required under section 87 of the Local Government Act 2003 to draw up housing strategies for their area and should include targets for affordable housing and other housing needs based on up to date survey information.

Indices of Local Deprivation

Karen Buck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish revised indices of local deprivation.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister hopes to publish the revised Indices of Deprivation (ID 2004) in spring 2004.

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter to his Department of 29 January from the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's records show that only one letter has been received from the Leader on the Isle of Wight Council this year. This letter was dated 26 February. A reply was sent on 4 March.

Landfill

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs concerning the role of local authorities in meeting the requirements of the Landfill Directive.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to achieve sustainable waste management. This involves discussions, both bilaterally and collectively across Government, on a range of matters including meeting the requirements of the Landfill Directive and the role of local authorities.

Neighbourhood Warden Schemes

John Cryer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions officials at his Department have had with (a) councillors and (b) officers at the London Borough of Havering regarding the continuation of neighbourhood warden schemes; and if he will make a statement on their outcome.

Yvette Cooper: Officials from the Government Office for London met with the neighbourhood warden scheme manager and a councillor from Havering on 11 February.
	The warden scheme has yet to secure mainstream funding from the London Borough of Havering and they are still considering their options.

Neighbourhood Warden Schemes

John Cryer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he has issued to local authorities to assist them in mainstreaming funding for neighbourhood wardens schemes; and what the estimated cost to local authorities is of mainstreaming funding of neighbourhood warden schemes.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has provided no direct advice to local authorities but it has provided a raft of information and advice to warden schemes themselves on how they might raise funding from mainstream funding.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's funding to neighbourhood warden schemes for 2003–04 was £4.7 million. Local authorities would need to find this level of funding if they wished to fund all warden schemes at the same level.

Neighbourhood Warden Schemes

John Cryer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in England (i) are and (ii) are not mainstreaming funding for neighbourhood warden schemes.

Yvette Cooper: The following table lists the areas where housing associations and local authorities are committed to sustaining their first round warden schemes after March 2004, when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister funding for their pilot schemes ceases.
	
		
			  Area Accountable body 
		
		
			 1. Dacorum LA 
			 2. Huntingdon HA 
			 3. Norwich LA 
			 4. Lincolnshire LA 
			 5. Leicestershire HA 
			 6. Nottingham LA 
			 7. Derby HA 
			 8. Liverpool (1 of 2 schemes) LA 
			 9. West Lancashire LA 
			 10. Longsight LA 
			 11. Sale West LA 
			 12. Wirral LA 
			 13. Burnley LA 
			 14. Manchester Longridge HA 
			 15. Macclesfield HA 
			 16. Knowsley LA 
			 17. Breightmet and Bolton HA 
			 18. Bury Voluntary Sector 
			 19. Oldham LA 
			 20. North Manchester LA 
			 21. Bolton HA 
			 22. Salford LA 
			 23. Lewisham LA 
			 24. Merton LA 
			 25. Southwark LA 
			 26. Sutton LA 
			 27. Birmingham Atwood Green LA 
			 28. Wolverhampton LA 
			 29. Walsall LA 
			 30. Stoke HA 
			 31. Wyre Forest HA 
			 32. Coventry LA 
			 33. Leeds LA 
			 34. Sheffield LA 
			 35. Kirklees LA 
			 36. Sheffield Voluntary Sector 
			 37. Bamesley LA 
			 38. Doncaster LA 
			 39. Wakefield LA 
			 40. Rotherham LA 
			 41. Exeter AL 
			 42. Portsmouth LA 
			 43. Horsham AL 
			 44. Milton Keynes LA 
			 45. Canterbury LA 
			 46. Slough LA 
			 47. Guildford LA 
			 48. Hastings LA 
			 49. Rushmore HA 
			 50. Stockton LA 
			 51. Darlington LA 
			 52 South Tyneside LA 
			 53. Middlesbrough HA 
			 54. Sedgefield LA 
			 55. Sunderland Plains Farm HA 
			 56. North Tyneside LA 
			 57. Merthyr Tydfil LA 
			 58. Cardiff LA 
			 59. Gwynedd LA 
			 60. Caerphilly LA 
			 61. Swansea LA 
		
	
	Local Authorities (LAs) in Barnet, Hillingdon, Avon and Somerset and Wigan as well as a Housing Association (HA) in Islington have decided not to sustain their wardens schemes. In two cases the wardens will be replaced by Police Community Support Officers.
	13 LAs, three HAs and two voluntary schemes have not yet made a final decision about the future of the warden scheme.

Planning Advice (Showmen)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice his Department gives to local councils on the provision of planning permission for the storing of showmen's equipment and living quarters; and if he will make a statement on the need for this provision.

Keith Hill: Planning policy relating to travelling showpeople is set out in DOE Circular 22/91 'Travelling Showpeople' which gives advice to local planning authorities on how to address the needs of travelling showpeople. Emphasis is placed on local authorities engaging in early discussion with travelling showpeople before planning applications are made, and in order to ensure that their needs are taken into account in preparing their Local Plans. Local authorities are also urged to give every assistance to help showpeople identify sites to buy or rent.

Police/Fire Authorities (Funding)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the percentage increase in funding that he deems to be reasonable for (a) fire authorities and (b) police authorities in the next financial year.

Phil Hope: The 2004–05 Local Government Finance Settlement was approved by Parliament on 5 February.
	Single service fire authorities (i.e. the metropolitan fire authorities and the combined fire authorities in shire areas) plus the fire-part of the GLA received a 4.23 per cent. increase in grant on a like-for like basis with 2003–04 (i.e. after adjusting for changes in function and funding). Fire services in shire areas that have not been subject to Local Government Reorganisation are provided by the Shire County. Shire Counties also provide services such as education, social services and highway maintenance for these areas. It is not possible to identify the amount of grant such authorities receive for fire.
	Police authorities excluding the City of London and the Metropolitan Police Authority plus the police-part of the GLA received a 3.26 per cent. increase in grant on a like-for-like basis with 2003–04. The City of London also provides services such as education, social services and highway maintenance. It is not possible to identify the amount of grant it receives for police.

Port Clarence, Stockton

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much English Partnerships plans to invest in the development of Port Clarence in Stockton.

Yvette Cooper: English Partnerships and One North East are looking at options for the re-development of Port Clarence. A decision about English Partnerships' involvement has yet to be made.

Regeneration (Havering)

John Cryer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much funding was allocated for regeneration in the London Borough of Havering in the last six years.

Yvette Cooper: The London Borough of Havering have advised the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that the amount of funding which has been allocated to regeneration projects in the borough since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			 Programme Source Date Funding £ million LBH Match Funding £ million 
		
		
			 London Riverside—ODPM allocation from Sustainable Communities Funding ODPM 2004–2008 8 n/a 
			 New Horizons for Harold Hill Regeneration of deprived communities SRB Allocation administered through LDA 1999–2004 3.8 2 
			 London Riverside in the Heart of the Thames Gateway SRB Allocation administered through LDA 1999–2007 (14)32.2 2.2 
			 Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing and Engineering DTI 2002–2004 4.3 — 
			 London Riverside—site preparation EU Objective 2 2001–2002 5.4 — 
			 Romford Town Centre SRB administered through LDA/ Groundwork 1997–2006 1 1.7 
		
	
	(14) Programme covers London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Havering and Thurrock. Havering is likely to have received 60–70 per cent. of the total allocation by the end of the programme although this includes contributions to the Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing and Engineering, which is in Havering, but serves a wider area.
	In addition to these allocations there have been further allocations to the borough from the LDA 2 programme and significant direct investment from the LDA in site acquisition and development.
	London Borough of Havering (LBH) match funding is included specifically and related to the regeneration programmes listed. In addition the Council has allocated approximately a further £3.5 million towards regeneration activity from 1997–98 to 2003–04 to support and deliver a variety of programmes over that period.

Regional Assemblies

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to paragraph 6.7 of Cm.5511, where the Government intends that elected regional assemblies for (a) the North East, (b) the North West and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber would initially be accommodated.

Nick Raynsford: Before reaching a decision, the Government will consult the regional chambers in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber and take their views on the preferred initial locations.

Regional Development Agencies

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what contribution his Department has made, or plans to make, to the regional development agencies' single pot for each financial year from 2003–04 to 2005–06; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's planned contribution is as follows:
	
		
			  ODPM contribution (£ million) 
		
		
			 2003–04* 1,524 
			 2004–05 1,456 
			 2005–06 1,513 
		
	
	Note:
	Includes HM Treasury cost of capital charge at 3.5 per cent. and * 2003–04 figures includes End Year Flexibility drawn down at spring Supplementary Estimates.
	These very substantial sums reflect the Regional Development Agencies' crucial role as partners in the delivery of the Government's plans for sustainable communities. The RDAs are key agents in achieving, for example, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's objectives for raising the levels of regional prosperity and social inclusion and for delivering effective programmes to help raise the quality of life for all in urban areas and other communities.

Single Neighbourhood Renewal Unit

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) budget or projected budget for the Single Neighbourhood Renewal Unit wardens funding channel and (b) budget or projected budget for all area-based initiatives funded by the Single Neighbourhood Renewal Unit wardens funding channel is for financial years (i) 2002–03, (ii) 2003–04, (iii) 2004–05 and (iv) 2005–06, broken down by English region.

Yvette Cooper: The following table outlines the budgets for Neighbourhood Renewal Unit warden funding for years 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06. The Wardens budget does not fund any other area based initiatives.
	
		NRU warden funding -- £000
		
			 English regions 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 London 5,274 7,909 6,955 5,145 
			 South West 763 1,319 1,170 370 
			 South East 2,068 2,248 1,782 980 
			 North West 3,166 3,753 2,860 1,440 
			 North East 1,367 966 846 0 
			 East Midlands 884 895 763 346 
			 West Midlands 2,239 2,635 2,177 1,239 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,206 2,606 1,946 841 
			 Eastern 1,038 945 682 0 
			 Total 19,005 23,276 19,181 10,361

Traffic Wardens

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many traffic wardens were employed by each local authority area in each of the last three years, broken down by police authority area.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	Our information relates only to traffic wardens employed by police authorities, not local authority parking attendants. I refer my hon. Friend to the chart attached to the answer I gave to Question Number 259.
	No record is kept centrally of the number of parking attendants employed by local authorities or by contractors who carry out enforcement on their behalf. .

Urban Regeneration Companies

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funding was provided (a) by his Department in total and (b) through non-departmental public bodies to each Urban Regeneration Company for 2003–04; and what funding is projected in each case for 2004–05.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not provide funding directly to any Urban Regeneration Company (URC). All funding is provided by the partners in each URC. This usually comprises the local Regional Development Agency (RDA), the local authority or authorities, and English Partnerships (EP). The table below shows the estimated revenue funding provided/projected by EP and the various RDAs to the individual URCs for 2003–04 and 2004–05. Funding for development projects is not normally provided to the URCs themselves; expenditure on projects is incurred by the partners on the basis of strategies agreed by the URCs.
	
		Revenue allocations to URCs -- £
		
			 URC 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Bradford City Regeneration 710,000 360,000 
			 CPR Regeneration 500,000 500,000 
			 Catalyst Corby 500,000 500,000 
			 Derby Cityscape 500,000 500,000 
			 Gloucester Heritage n/a 500,000 
			 Hull Citybuild 650,000 650,000 
			 Leicester Regeneration 500,000 500,000 
			 Liverpool Vision 791,000 791,000 
			 New East Manchester 620,000 620,000 
			 Sandwell 500,000 500,000 
			 Sheffield One 710,000 710,000 
			 Sunderland Arc 520,000 520,000 
			 The New Swindon Company 500,000 500,000 
			 Tees Valley Regeneration 500,000 500,000 
			 Walsall n/a 470,000 
			 West Lakes Renaissance 200,000 200,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Bradford and West Lakes do not receive revenue funding from English Partnerships (EP)
	2. All other figures are collated EP and Regional Development Agency estimates
	3. Gloucester and Walsall were only established towards the end of FY 2003–04

HEALTH

Bed Rails

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bed sides of double-bar design with more than 120mm between the rails he estimates are in use in (a) the NHS and (b) residential and nursing homes; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not held centrally.

Bed-blocking

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the performance of East Sussex county council in tackling bed-blocking.

Stephen Ladyman: Between 111 and 132 East Sussex residents have been reported as delayed for the past four weeks, with just over half of these delays attributable to social services reasons. This highlights some of the problems that can occur without effective partnership working between health and social care providers.

Cycle Accidents

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many serious accidents involving cyclists there were in the UK in each of the last five years.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows the number of fatal and serious accidents involving pedal cyclists in the UK in each of the last five years.
	
		Numbers of accidents involving pedal cyclists: UK
		
			 Year Fatal or serious accident 
		
		
			 1998 3,477 
			 1999 3,358 
			 2000 2,938 
			 2001 2,812 
			 2002 2,571

Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS orthodontists there have been in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital/Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): Dental staff within the Orthodontics specialty -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			  All staff Of which: Consultant 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1997 509 153 
			 1998 501 153 
			 1999 504 157 
			 2000 513 161 
			 2001 506 154 
			 2002 508 161 
			 March 2003 n/a 174 
			 June 2003 n/a 181 
		
	
	(15) Data as at 30 September each year, except 2003 data which is at 31 March and 30 June.
	n/a = Data not available due to data being taken from the mini censuses that collected consultants only.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census
	The number of national health service consultant orthodontists, working in the NHS, increased by 18 per cent. between September 1997 and June 2003.

Foundation Trusts

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards are in place to prevent foundation trust boards of governors being taken over by special interest groups.

John Hutton: All National Health Service foundation trusts are required to have a majority of governors elected by members of the public and patient constituencies. The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 requires all NHS foundation trusts to take steps to ensure that the membership is representative of those eligible to be members. The democratic process is designed to secure a balance of interests on the board of governors. In addition, NHS foundation trusts may include provisions in their constitution, and in particular the provisions relating to elections to the board of governors, designed to prevent the board from becoming dominated by a single issue group. The Independent Regulator will want to be satisfied that the provisions proposed by the applicant trust meet the statutory requirements before granting an authorisation.

General Practitioners

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner vacancies there were in each primary care trust on 1 March.

John Hutton: The last Recruitment and Retention Vacancy (RRV) survey took place between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003. Information on the number of general practitioners (GP) vacancies in each primary care trust (PCT) that occurred during this period has been placed in the Library.
	The RRV survey is a count of all GP vacancies that have occurred during each year. It will include existing posts that doctors have left and also new posts created to increase the workforce, even where they were filled very quickly. The number of vacancies in part, is a result of there being more posts overall, reflecting the Government's plan to increase the GP workforce.

General Practitioners

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there were per head of population in (a) England and (b) each London primary care trust in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

John Hutton: holding answer 23 February 2004
	The latest available data for unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs) per 100,000 population is September 2002. Information is available since 1998 for England and information is available since 2001 at a London primary care trust level and has been placed in the Library.

Health (Government Funding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent from central Government funds per capita on health in (a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) the UK for each of the last five years.

John Hutton: Information relating to the per capita expenditure in the East Riding area and England is shown in the table. The information is based on the East Riding and Hull Health Authority area up to 2001–02 and then the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority for 2002–03. Information for the rest of the United Kingdom is a matter for the devolved administrations and the Northern Ireland Office.
	
		£ per head
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 East Riding and Hull Health Authority 624.72 722.28 787.13 863.59 n/a 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority n/a n/a n/a n/a 943.10 
			 England 659.76 763.79 825.38 926.13 991.07 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The total amount of central Government funds spent on health cannot be analysed by health authority area. Expenditure per capita is calculated on health authority areas from the expenditure reported in health authorities and related primary care trusts.
	2. The health authority and all England expenditure figures are not prepared on a consistent basis as some elements cannot be accounted for at the health authority level. The majority of general dental services expenditure and an element of pharmaceutical services expenditure is included in the England total but not in the individual health authority accounts or primary care trust summarisation schedules. This expenditure is separately accounted for by the Dental Practice Board and Prescription Pricing Authority respectively.
	3. Expenditure is taken from audited health authority summarisation forms and primary care trust summarisation schedules which are prepared on a resource basis and therefore differ from cash allocations in the year. The expenditure is the total expenditure by the relevant health authorities, and the commissioner costs of the primary care trusts. Figures are given in cash terms.
	4. Allocations per weighted head of population provide a much more reliable measure to identify differences between funding of health authorities and primary care trusts.5. Figures for 1998–99 to 2001–2002 have been prepared using gross expenditure figures. This is to ensure consistency between years. Figures for 2002–2003 based on strategic health authority areas have been adjusted to eliminate expenditure which would be double counted where an authority acts as a lead in commissioning healthcare or other services.
	6. In many health authorities, there are factors which distort the expenditure per head. These include:
	the health authority acting in a lead capacity to commission healthcare or fund training on behalf of other health bodies; and
	asset revaluations in NHS Trusts being funded through health authorities or primary care trusts.
	7. For these reasons expenditure per head cannot be compared reliably between health authorities or between different years.
	Sources:
	1. Health authority audited summarisation forms 1998–99 to 2001–02.
	2. Strategic health authority audited summarisation forms 2002–03.
	3. Primary care trust audited summarisation schedules 2000–01 to 2002–03.
	4. Weighted health authority population figures 1998–99 to 2002–03.

Infection Control

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the additional funding announced in January 2001 for infection control has been spent.

John Hutton: The additional funding announced in January 2001 was for improving decontamination in national health service hospitals in England. £112 million has been allocated to NHS trusts for that purpose so far.

Information Technology

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the projected cost of the National Programme for Information Technology in the NHS was when it was originally announced; what the latest available projected cost is; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The projected costs for the national programme for information technology (NpfIT) in the national health service were announced in the strategy document, "Delivering 21st Century IT in the NHS", as £2.3 billion for the period up to March 2006. Central funding for the NPfIT is to be made available from the Spending Review 2002 as follows—£370 million in 2003–04, £730 million in 2004–05 and £1.2 billion in 2005–06.
	We are on schedule and on budget to spend £2.3 billion on centrally procured IT by March 2006.
	Future expenditure will form part of the ongoing financial management processes within Spending Review 2004 and future envelopes. By 2008, IT funding will be in line with the levels proposed within the Wanless Review; that is, 4 per cent., of total NHS expenditure.

Information Technology

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of (a) training and (b) installation for the National Programme for Information Technology in the NHS; and from which budgets the funding will be taken.

John Hutton: Central funding for the National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT) in the national health service is to be made available from the Spending Review 2002 as follows—£370 million in 2003–04, £730 million in 2004–05 and £1.2 billion in 2005–06.
	Training plans are still evolving as is to be expected when approaching a phased programme of implementation and roll out of new applications, systems and services. The training requirements are not solely related to the NPfIT as general IT skills are now an everyday element for any public service and service-based organisation. The move to e-learning and development and the NHSU will both create more demand for computer and online skills and provide more channels and solutions to bring training to people.
	As the Department completes the more detailed plans for each geographical cluster and local service provider contract, it will be able to map out the extent of IT support for clinical practice and patient care over the phased implementation of the NPfIT. This will generate clearer training requirements and will enable the Department to consider the most appropriate ways of providing training and development and produce firmer costs.
	The delivery of the NPfIT and any costs related to the implementation are included within the overall envelope of central funding. In line with normal commercial practice, the final pricing structure included in each contract and the fine details of the bids are confidential.

Information Technology

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what restrictions have been placed on bidders for the National Programme for Information Technology in the NHS making public statements about the project; whether these restrictions are usual Government practice; and what the reasons are for the restrictions.

John Hutton: The National Programme for Information Technology (NpfIT) in the national health service follows normal Government and commercial practice in regard to managing procurements and contracts and has drawn upon standard guidance from the Office of Government Commerce. This is available at www.ogc.gov.uk/sdtoolkit/reference/ogc library/procurement/cup59d.pdf. This precludes suppliers from discussing their contracts or the key elements relating to the subject matter of their contracts without the agreement of the Department.
	Contractors and employees of the programme are contractually required to comply with this protocol. The reasons for this are to ensure consistency, avoid confusion, and to enable any issues or proposals to be managed efficiently. It is also important to ensure that normal commercial and business rules of confidentiality are observed.

Medicines Management

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Care Standards Commission will publish its findings on the medicines management standard in care homes.

Stephen Ladyman: Yes. The National Care Standards Commission expects to publish its findings in a report to be issued in March.

Midwifery Council (Registration Fees)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has undertaken of the impact of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's proposed fee increase on the number of nurses nearing retirement renewing their registration; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: It is for the Nursing and Midwifery Council to decide and justify any increase in registration fees that it proposes. Any increase is subject to Privy Council approval, and the Privy Council will carefully consider all arguments expressed when the time comes.

NHS Consultants

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff grade posts within the NHS he expects will be made consultant posts in the next 12 months.

John Hutton: There are no central plans to convert staff grade posts into consultant posts over the next 12 months. National health service trusts can, if they feel there is a need, make proposals to their postgraduate deanery to increase the numbers of locally funded specialist training posts. These may be funded by conversion of staff grade posts and may eventually lead to additional consultant posts.

NHS Finances

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) information requests and (b) data collections (i) made by and (ii) supplied to his Department concerning NHS finances; when they are collected; when they are available for publication; and at what level of NHS organisation the information is collected.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 10 February 2004, Official Report, column 1411W.
	In addition, special health authorities also supply annual accounts, capital charge estimates and financial monitoring data to the Department.
	Annual accounts are published locally by individual national health service bodies. The accounts data collected by the Department is summarised and published. The most recent such publication was in March 2003, in respect of the summarised 2001–02 accounts.
	NHS annual accounts data is also used by the Department in the preparation of the Departmental Resource Account. The 2002–03 Resource Account was published in January 2004.

NHS Land

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much NHS land has been included on the register of surplus public sector land which can be sold off on the open market.

John Hutton: This Department has recently agreed that surplus property owned by National Health Service trusts and primary care trusts are no longer required for the benefit of the NHS should be placed on the newly established Register of Surplus Public Sector Land. This will further the Government's objective of making the best use of such land. The NHS has been informed and detailed guidance on these arrangements will shortly be issued. It is anticipated that the NHS will be major users of the register, including as purchasers of surplus public land owned by other bodies.

NHS Services (Greater London)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated to NHS services in (a) Greater London and (b) each London borough in each of the last three years.

John Hutton: holding answer 3 March 2004
	The following tables show the allocations for health authorities and primary care trusts in London over the last three years. The Department does not have a breakdown by London borough.
	
		Allocations to London health authorities: 2001–02 and 2002–03 -- £000
		
			 Health authority(16) 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Barking and Havering 305,009 333,897 
			 Barnet 248,445 n/a 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey n/a 725,055 
			 Bexley and Greenwich 345,432 n/a 
			 Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich n/a 635,109 
			 Brent and Harrow 371,479 432,599 
			 Bromley 218,662 n/a 
			 Camden and Islington 396,403 477,910 
			 Croydon 242,431 274,247 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 581,735 676,038 
			 East London and The City 598,866 702,986 
			 Enfield and Haringey 387,770 n/a 
			 Hillingdon 184,100 203,317 
			 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster 361,234 436,168 
			 Kingston and Richmond 256,722 284,506 
			 Lambeth Southwark and Lewisham 695,407 829,552 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 498,646 563,125 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 351,329 399,542 
			 Total 6,043,669 6,974,051 
		
	
	(16)There were health authority mergers on 1 April 2001
	
		Allocations to London primary care trusts—2003–04 -- £000
		
			 Primary care trust 2003–04 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 153,449 
			 Barnet 303,125 
			 Bexley 181,941 
			 Brent 291,023 
			 Bromley 264,585 
			 Camden 264,700 
			 Chingford, Wanstead and Woodford 109,461 
			 City and Hackney 266,159 
			 Croydon 295,063 
			 Ealing 321,825 
			 Enfield 242,179 
			 Greenwich 238,961 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 192,779 
			 Haringey 244,127 
			 Harrow 178,844 
			 Havering 213,977 
			 Hillingdon 219,844 
			 Hounslow 216,776 
			 Islington 248,319 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 202,056 
			 Kingston 142,871 
			 Lambeth 325,353 
			 Lewisham 283,282 
			 Newham 276,635 
			 Redbridge 160,654 
			 Richmond and Twickenham 161,752 
			 Southwark 282,305 
			 Sutton and Merton 324,770 
			 Tower Hamlets 237,707 
			 Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone 163,981 
			 Wandsworth 275,795 
			 Westminster 263,876 
			 Total 7,548,174

NHS Trusts

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated deficit or underspend for each NHS trust in London is in the current financial year; and what cumulative deficit is being carried forward in each case.

John Hutton: Audited information on the financial position of national health service trusts will be published in their individual annual accounts. This data will be available centrally in the autumn. We have no plans to publish un-audited information.

NHS Trusts

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust about ward closures; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: I have had no discussions. It is for strategic health authorities (SHAs) to performance manage the national health service. I am assured by South East London SHA that, although Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust faces a number of financial pressures, it is working with its partners to manage them and to avoid any unnecessary or inappropriate impact on patient care.

NHS Trusts

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of payments to retiring or resigning NHS trust chief executives in each year since 1990 to 2003.

John Hutton: This information is not identified separately in trust financial returns.

NHS Trusts

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the salary was of the chief executive of each NHS trust in 2003.

John Hutton: The Department does not hold this information centrally but has asked national health service trusts to include the information in their annual accounts.

NHS Trusts

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget for the Centrally Funded Initiative and Services Special Allocation was for 2003–04; whether this budget has been committed; and whether reserves from the budget will be used to meet overspends in existing primary care trust budgets in 2003–04.

John Hutton: The current budget for Centrally Funded Services and Initiatives and Special Allocations in 2003–04 is £13,030 million. This budget is fully committed and contains no reserve element.

Out-of-hours Service

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the top-up sum available to primary care trusts to pay individual general practitioners for out-of-hours service will reach at least the current investment level.

John Hutton: The investment in out-of-hours services has been doubled to £92 million from 2004–05. This is in addition to the average of £6,000 primary care trusts (PCTs) will receive for every general practitioner opting out of the responsibility to provide out of hours services. A further £28 million will be made. available to PCTs facing the biggest challenges in developing their out-of-hours services.

Overseas Doctors

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many overseas doctors passed their Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board examination in 2002.

John Hutton: The Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board examination is administered by the General Medical Council. 2,955 overseas doctors passed Part II of the examination in 2002.

Paediatric Training

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many national training numbers have been issued in paediatrics in the last 12 months; and how many he expects to issue in the next 12 months;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of national training numbers needed in paediatrics to comply with the EU Working Time Directive; what advice he has received from the Royal College of Paediatrics on this; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: In 2003–04, 100 locally funded national training numbers (NTNs) were allocated to paediatrics. In 2004–05, a further 15 locally funded NTNs will be allocated. In addition, an extra 155 NTNs have been proposed for paediatrics through other initiatives.
	To support the implementation of the Working Time Directive (WTD), strategic health authorities have agreed further additional training places with trusts, for which we will issue NTNs. The number of these is not yet available.
	The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has carried out a survey looking into WTD compliance within hospitals providing acute services for children. The Department is considering the results of the survey.

Primary Care Trusts

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which constituencies in England are covered (a) in whole and (b) in part by each of the primary care trusts in England.

John Hutton: holding answer 9 February 2004
	The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Primary Care Trusts

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long he expects it to take fully to implement the new funding system for primary care trusts.

John Hutton: A wide ranging review of the funding formula, used to inform the allocation of resources to primary care trusts (PCTs), has recently taken place.
	The new formula was used to set PCT target allocations for the latest round of national health service revenue allocations, covering the period 2000–06.
	The Department is committed to bringing PCTs to their target allocation as soon as is practicable.

Primary Care Trusts

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to question reference 154873, how many patients attending from each primary care trust outside Sussex sending more than 10 patients received (a) financial assistance with travel costs, (b) financial assistance with carers' travel costs and (c) financial assistance with carers' accommodation costs.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 2 March 2004
	The Department does not collect this information centrally.

Public Bodies

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate has been made of the costs of the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection in its first five years of operation.

John Hutton: A preliminary estimate of the cost of the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection's (CHAI) operation for its first year of operation was £60 million. No estimates have been made for subsequent years.
	CHAI, as an independent body, will refine the estimates of its costs for its first three years. These will be contained in its first corporate plan, a copy of which will be placed in the Library when it is published.

Hospital Staff (Attacks)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many attacks against hospital staff were recorded in (a) all hospitals in England and (b) hospitals in England with the Red Card Scheme in each of the last three years.

John Hutton: The information requested is not available centrally.
	The following statistics on violence within the National Health Service are available for 2002–03.
	
		Estimated violent or abusive incidents in the NHS 2002–03
		
			 Organisation Type Estimated total number of incidents Estimated number of incidents per 1,000 staff per month 
		
		
			 Acute Trusts 38,000 6 
			 Primary Care Trusts 21,000 12 
			 Ambulance Trusts 5,000 16 
			 Mental Health and Community Trusts 51,000 34 
			 All Organisations 116,000 11 
		
	
	No comparable statistics are available for earlier years.

Speech Therapy

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effects of Agenda for Change on speech therapists;
	(2)  what research his Department has commissioned into the effects on recruitment and retention of speech therapists of the implications of Agenda for Change for pay levels of speech therapists.

John Hutton: On average national health service staff will receive a 5.9 per cent., increase in basic pay over time as a result of Agenda for Change (in addition to annual pay uplifts) though this will vary for different staff groups and individuals.
	The impact of Agenda for Change for all staff groups, including speech and language therapists, is currently being tested in a range of early implementer sites. The evidence and learning from these sites will be reviewed by the UK Health Departments, NHS trades unions and NHS employer representatives before the planned national roll out in October 2004.

Stroke

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stroke consultants there are (a) in the NHS and (b) with specialist qualifications in strokes.

John Hutton: The Department does not collect numbers of stroke consultants.
	Stroke treatment is normally undertaken by consultants specialising in geriatric medicine, neurology and rehabilitation medicine, but it is not possible to say how many of the consultants within these specialties have specialist qualifications in strokes.

Temporary Vacancies

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2004, Official Report, columns 1546–47W, on NHS Professionals, what proportion of temporary vacancies in NHS trusts he estimates are filled from NHS Professionals' own bank; what proportion are filled via NHS Professionals passing on the details to approved private agencies; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: In January 2004, NHS Professionals filled 65 per cent. of the vacancies notified to it from its own bank. Private recruitment agencies had access to the remaining 35 per cent., of which they filled 25 per cent. 10 per cent. remained unfilled.

Working Time Directive

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2004, Official Report, column 1548W, on the Working Time Directive, whether his Department expects the NHS to be compliant with the Directive for doctors in training from 1 August; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Working Time Directive will be a legal requirement for doctors in training from 1 August 2004 and we expect national health service employers to comply with the legislation. Strategic health authorities are currently working with their respective trusts locally on plans to achieve compliance.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Afghanistan citizens have (a) applied for asylum, (b) been granted asylum, (c) been granted (i) exceptional leave to remain and (ii) indefinite leave to remain, (d) been refused leave and (e) have been removed in each of the last four years for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 8 December 2003
	The table provides the available information, showing the number of asylum applications, initial decisions and removals of Afghans for the last four years. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same year. Nor do removals necessarily relate to initial decisions or appeal outcomes in the same year.
	The United Kingdom Government opened negotiations with the Afghan Transitional Administration on return issues following the change of regime in Afghanistan. These negotiations resulted in the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding by the UK Government, the Afghan Transitional Administration and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in October 2002. The MoU establishes a framework for returns from the UK to Afghanistan. Since then, voluntary returns have commenced under the terms of that Memorandum, and from April 2003 regular enforced returns have been successfully implemented. We will continue to work with the Afghan Transitional Administration to ensure that returns to Afghanistan are sustainable.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and removals is published quarterly. The next publication will be available at the end of February 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Asylum applications(17) received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, initial decision(18) -- 2000—2003, nationals of Afghanistan
		
			  Applications Initial Decisions Grants of Asylum Grants of ELR Grants of Humanitarian Protection Grants of Discretionary Leave Total refusals(19) Grants of ELR under backlog criteria(20) Non compliance 
		
		
			 2000 5,555 2,590 375 695 n/a n/a 1,515 10 - 
			 2001(r) 8,920 12,365 2,320 7,500 n/a n/a 2,545 n/a n/a 
			 2002(P) 7,205 8,175 115 4,765 n/a n/a 3,300 n/a n/a 
			 2003(P) 2,290 3,920 40 204 * 350 3,320 n/a N/a 
		
	
	(17) figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*' = 1 or 2.
	(18) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(19) May include some refusals under non compliance grounds.
	(20) Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds
	(r) Revised figures
	(P) Provisional figures
	N/A Not applicable
	
		Removals and voluntary departures(21)of Afghan asylum applicants, excluding dependants, 2000 to September 2003(22) , (23) , (24)(E)
		
			  2000 2001 2002(P) Jan-Sept 2003(P)(5) 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Afghanistan .. 125 395 460 
		
	
	(21) Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.
	(22) Figures rounded to the nearest five, with * = 1 or 2.
	(23) Figures may include a small number of dependants leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes.
	(24) Figures exclude dependants of asylum seekers removed. Data on dependants removed have only been collected since April 2001.
	(25) Data on the nationality of asylum seekers removed in the final quarter of 2003 will be published in May 2004.
	(E) Data have been estimated due to data quality issues.
	(P) Provisional figures.
	(..) Not available.

Brain Injuries (Police Training)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) police training for recruits and (b) in-service training for police officers includes awareness of how to respond to members of the public with acquired brain injuries.

Hazel Blears: The 15 week Probationer Training Programme delivered by Centrex to all new police recruits, incorporates a First Aid course consisting of five modules to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) approved Common Minimum Standards.
	The course includes management of a casualty with head and associated injuries, convulsion and stroke. It teaches how to recognise signs and symptoms, examine and treat injury, obtain medical help, adopt the correct position, provide reassurance and monitoring. Training also includes life saving, illness in public places, and dealing with sudden death if required. In addition to testing the knowledge, understanding and skills on all these issues, probationers would also be assessed on attitudes and behaviour.
	In police forces, specialist courses are delivered to officers as needed. Members of the public who enter custody at police stations are assessed and medical advice sought where appropriate.

Cockling

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Immigration Service operations had been carried out regarding cockle picking in (a) Morecambe Bay and (b) elsewhere prior to the operation on Pilling Sands on 19 June 2003.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 27 February 2004
	The Immigration Service has assisted the police with various incidents involving cockle pickers prior to 19 June 2003. These include:
	the arrest of 12 Chinese nationals in Mostyn on 31 October 2002
	the arrest of 20 Chinese nationals on the Wirral on 31 October 2002
	the apprehension of five Chinese nationals in Bagillt on 13 November 2002.

Cockling

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested picking cockles in Morecambe Bay on 5 August 2003.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 26 February 2004
	The police arrested 37 Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe Town on 4 August 2003.

Cockling

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long immigration officials took to reach Morecambe when police arrested 37 people on Chatsworth Road, Morecambe on 4 August 2003; and whether the police were called as a result of complaints from members of the public.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 26 February 2004
	I understand the police received telephone calls during early August 2003 concerning groups of apparently illegal Chinese immigrants and related either to the occupation of local premises or cockling on local public fisheries. On 4 August the police attended a local address following further complaints of suspicious activity. Police records show that they started to arrest Chinese cockle pickers at 4.35 p.m on 4 August 2003.
	Police records indicate that they first contacted the Immigration Service about this activity during the evening of 4 August.
	The Police made a significant number of arrests and made arrangements for the safe accommodation overnight of the detainees at police custody suites in the area.
	During the morning of 5 August Immigration Service's Liverpool office drew together a team and the equipment necessary to interview, fingerprint, photograph and serve illegal entry papers on the Chinese nationals, as appropriate. Having completed checks during the morning against the relevant databases and obtained an interpreter, an Immigration Officer from Liverpool arrived at Lancaster Police Station at 1.24 p.m to assist the police with identifying the immigration status of those who did not appear on Home Office records.
	Two Immigration Officers continue to provide their full time support to the police in the area.

Cockling

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement correcting the information the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale received from the right hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes) regarding immigration enforcement action on 6 August 2003, in Morecambe Bay; and if he will initiate an urgent inquiry into the reasons for which this inaccurate information was provided by his Department.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 26 February 2004
	I wrote to my hon. Friend on 19 February to explain that I had been given the incorrect location for the operation on 6 August by officials, and I expressed regret about this error. This operation had in fact taken place on cockle beds on the Wirral.
	Following my hon. Friend's letter of 19 February which highlighted various discrepancies to me in the information I had provided, I initiated an internal enquiry that evening to establish the facts. This has been conducted by a Director in the Immigration Service and the initial results were reported to me this week. There are further investigations still to be completed.

Cockling

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the Police and UK Immigration Service operation in Morecambe Bay at the sandbank close to Morecambe Town on 5 August 2003 as described in a letter to the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale from the right hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes) dated 12 February;
	(2)  if he will name the sandbank close to Morecambe Town where a police and UK immigration operation took place on 5 August 2003 as described in a letter to the right hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale from the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes) of 12 February; and if he will estimate the distance from the sandbank to Morecambe Town;
	(3)  what (a) police and (b) immigration service operations have been carried out at the sandbanks close to Morecambe Town.

Beverley Hughes: The matter has now been fully investigated and it is clear that some details of the information given to me by officials and reproduced in my letter of 12 February about the Immigration Service's role in the events on the 4 and 5 August were not wholly accurate and I regret that as a result my hon. Friend was not given the full picture. However, the broad outline of that picture was correct—that on those days there was police-led activity in the Morecambe Bay area involving Chinese cockle pickers which the Immigration Service supported.

Crime

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many crimes have been (a) reported and (b) recorded as being solved in the Romford area of the London borough of Havering during (i) 1995, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2001 and (v) 2003;
	(2)  how many (a) burglaries, (b) car thefts, (c) acts of vandalism, (d) muggings, (e) rapes, (f) sexual assaults, (g) indecent assaults and (h) violent attacks were reported in the Romford area of the London borough of Havering during (i) 1995, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2001 and (v) 2003.

Hazel Blears: For details of recorded crime figures for Havering, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 18W. Details for detections in Havering are given in the table.
	
		Havering: Recorded crime for six key offences
		
			  Offences recorded Detections 
		
		
			 Violence against the Person   
			 1999–2000 2,661 975 
			 2000–01 2,787 945 
			 2001–02 3,225 1,144 
			 2002–03 3,901 1,268 
			
			 Sexual Offences   
			 1999–2000 145 64 
			 2000–01 158 55 
			 2001–02 173 — 
			 2002–03 178 — 
			
			 Robbery   
			 1999–2000 240 60 
			 2000–01 392 59 
			 2001–02 549 63 
			 2002–03 479 57 
			
			 Burglary Dwelling   
			 1999–2000 837 119 
			 2000–01 897 40 
			 2001–02 1,109 63 
			 2002–03 1,058 140 
			
			 Theft of a motor Vehicle   
			 1999–2000 1,749 154 
			 2000–01 1,842 107 
			 2001–02 1,883 134 
			 2002–03 1,654 111 
			 Theft from a Vehicle   
			 1999–2000 2,120 49 
			 2000–01 2,143 26 
			 2001–02 2,374 42 
			 2002–03 2,230 37

Crime

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to question reference 154635 on 24 February, what guidance on crime pattern analysis his Department issued to police forces prior to 2003.

Hazel Blears: No formal guidance has been issued although research studies have been published relevant to this area. Those studies published prior to 2003 are:
	Read, T. and Oldfield, D. (1995) Local Crime Analysis. Crime Detection and Prevention Series Paper 65, London: Home Office.
	Clarke, R.V. and Eck, J. (2003) Become a Problem-Solving Crime Analyst. Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drugs testing and treatment orders have been issued in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley since 2000.

Caroline Flint: The information requested, for the years 2000 to 2002 is contained in the table.
	
		Persons sentenced to drug treatment and testing orders in Lancashire and the Petty Sessional Area (PSA) of Chorley, 2000–02
		
			  In Lancashire Of which, in Chorley PSA 
		
		
			 2000(26) — — 
			 2001 126 6 
			 2002 165 10 
		
	
	(26) From October.
	Statistics for 2003 will be published in the autumn of this year.

Engagements

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the meeting on 16 September 2003 between the Minister of State for Crime Reduction, Policing and Community Safety and representatives of Naturewatch; and when he expects to hold a follow-up meeting with the Chief Constable of North Wales.

Hazel Blears: I very much welcomed the opportunity to meet representatives of Naturewatch to hear their concerns about the law and other issues in relation to badger-baiting. I made clear once again the Government's utter abhorrence of such practices. Primary responsibility for legislation on the protection of badgers rests with colleagues in Defra. I noted the concern of Naturewatch that there should be clear statistics as to the scale of abuse. Convictions of the main offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which are imprisonable, are recordable on the Police National Computer. This allows information about offences and offenders to be shared among police forces. However, since the offences in the Act are among the great number which are triable only summarily, the proposition that they should be made notifiable for the purpose of crime statistics (which focus on offences triable on indictment) presents great problems. I made it clear that I would wish to take the views of the Chief Constable of North Wales, who leads on wildlife crime matters within the Association of Chief Police Officers, on other possible options. My officials have been in touch with him, and I am anxious that this work should be taken forward as quickly as possible.

Fixed Penalty Fines

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the costs and benefits of equipping (a) Home Office constabularies and (b) Highways Agency traffic management staff with hand-held GPS card readers for on-the-spot payment of fixed penalty fines.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 3 March 2004
	No such assessment has been made. There is no requirement to pay fixed penalty fines on the spot.
	The provisions of the fixed penalty system for road traffic offences are set out in Part III of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991. The recipient of a fixed penalty notice has the option of paying the penalty within 28 days or requesting a court hearing if the issue of the notice is disputed.
	Provision for Highways Agency traffic officers is included in the Traffic Management Bill, currently before Parliament. The Bill does not seek to give the traffic officers a power to issue fixed penalty notices.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will commission an independent analysis to evaluate the various hypotheses about the effects of introducing identity cards.

Beverley Hughes: The Government does not propose to commission such an analysis. It has conducted a lengthy consultation exercise on different options for implementing an identity cards scheme, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary set out the benefits of an identity cards scheme in his statement to the House on 11 November 2003 and his publication 'Identity Cards: The Next Steps' (CMD 6020) and we have announced that there will be a further opportunity for consultation when the draft Bill is published.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the option of introducing an identity card system with no central register.

Beverley Hughes: An identity card scheme without a central register would have less protection against people establishing multiple identities than one where there was a single, highly verified record of identity.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures will be in place under the current identity card proposals to ensure the trustworthiness of the staff operating (a) the identity database system and (b) other databases that include the ID number.

Beverley Hughes: The Government will build on the arrangements which are already in place for administering personal databases such as those adopted by the UK Passport Service.

Illegal Immigrants

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many of the illegal Chinese immigrants arrested in King's Lynn have been deported;.
	(2)  how many of the illegal Chinese immigrants arrested in the Wirral in November 2002 have been deported;
	(3)  how many of the illegal Chinese immigrants arrested at Morecambe in August 2003 have been deported;
	(4)  what prosecutions have taken place in connection with (a) the arrest of Chinese immigrants in King's Lynn, (b) the arrest of Chinese immigrants in the Wirral in November 2002 and (c) the arrest of Chinese immigrants at Morecambe Bay in August 2003.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 23 February 2004
	The Chinese Government has very strict conditions for re-documenting their citizens and will only accept their return once they have verified their exact identity. This causes problems for many countries that wish to repatriate Chinese illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers, as those who do not wish to return are careful to conceal their true identity. Chinese officials seconded to the Immigration Service have recently provided assistance in identifying Chinese nationals to enable their return. We are now working on an arrangement to make this assistance permanent.
	We have made it clear to the Chinese that we urgently need to find a solution to the problem of re-documenting those who continue to conceal their identity in order to frustrate return, and are working together to find a way forward to enable us to significantly increase returns to China.
	My understanding is that activity by the Immigration Service on the Wirral in October 2002, in King's Lynn in the summer of 2003, and in the Morecambe Bay area in August 2003 has not led to any prosecutions against any individuals under immigration law. Although 120 Chinese nationals were interviewed by the Immigration Service on those occasions, they were not willing to provide evidence which could be used to support a prosecution against those who may have facilitated their entry into the United Kingdom or employed them illegally.
	To date one of these Chinese nationals who had committed an immigration offence has been removed from the United Kingdom and two are in detention awaiting issue of travel documents and removal.
	The Immigration Service is actively considering the status of the Chinese nationals apprehended on these three occasions who have not been removed to date and who are not legally in the United Kingdom.

Lancashire Police

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made in the Chorley constituency in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Information on arrests collected centrally is based on persons arrested for 'notifiable' offences at police force area level only, in England and Wales. The information does not identify individual local authority or constituency areas.

Lancashire Police

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers Lancashire Police Force had in each year since 2000; and how many (a) were on the front line and (b) had desk jobs in each year.

Hazel Blears: Police strength information is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Year as at 31 March Lancashire police strength 
		
		
			 2000 3,179 
			 2001 3,255 
			 2002 3,304 
			 2003 3,339 
			 December 2003 (27)3,549 
		
	
	(27) Record level
	Further information on the deployment of officers on particular duties is not available. Police officers perform a variety of roles and not all officers occupy posts devoted solely to front line or administrative duties. The Home Office will be making available later in the year an assessment of the proportion of time spent by police officers on front line activities in each force in England and Wales in 2003–04.

People Trafficking

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken to combat trafficking of people into Britain from (a) China and (b) the Far East.

Beverley Hughes: The Government is committed to tackling the crime of human trafficking in all its guises, and operates an intelligence led approach to the policing of human trafficking. Reflex, a UK wide multi-agency taskforce to combat organised immigration crime, which includes people trafficking and smuggling, was established in 2000. At present, Reflex has a number of operations focused on disrupting organised Chinese, Far Eastern and other criminal gangs some of which involves close liaison with our European partners and source countries.

Police Incident (Manchester)

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the incident of alleged police brutality in Greater Manchester shown on television news in the week beginning on 16 February.

Hazel Blears: The incident is being investigated by West Yorkshire Police, under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.
	It would not be appropriate to comment on this case while the investigation is on-going.

Police Support Staff

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the duties performed by police support staff; and if he will make a statement on their effectiveness in supporting the work of the Metropolitan Police.

Hazel Blears: Police staff perform a valuable role in the policing of London. The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis informs me that as of the end of December 2003, there were 543 Traffic wardens, 1,157 community support officers and 11,772 other police staff working for the Metropolitan Police Service. They have a wide range of duties, with many of them in direct support of operational policing.

Registered Doorkeepers

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the areas in which the security industry regulations will be rolled out, broken down by date; how many persons are employed as doorkeepers in each area; how many places on courses designed to provide qualifications for registration there are; how many of these currently employed have already qualified for registration; and what contingency arrangements are in place to meet shortfalls in supply of registered doorkeepers.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 1 March 2004
	The table details the rollout schedule for door supervisor licensing by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), along with estimated numbers of persons working as door supervisors.
	
		
			 Region Application Start Date SIA licence required from Estimated numberof door supervisors 
		
		
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 1 March 2004 4 June 2004 2,883 
			 South West 1 June 2004 23 August 2004 7,742 
			 Wales 14 June 2004 6 September 2004 4,380 
			 Midlands 5 July 2004 18 October 2004 12,410 
			 North West 9 August 2004 15 November 2004 10,589 
			 North East 6 September 2004 13 December 2004 11,732 
			 East 4 October 2004 3 January 2005 7,511 
			 South East 25 October 2004 28 February 2005 19,366 
			 London 3 January 2005 11 April 2005 11,272 
		
	
	Information about the number of training places is not held centrally, however, the SIA has received assurances from the awarding bodies that there will be sufficient capacity to meet demand in any given region prior to the onset of licensing in that region.
	As at 13 February 2004, 137 individuals have successfully completed the SIA approved training course in Hampshire and the Isle of White and it is estimated that a further 300 meet the SIA competency requirements by virtue of their existing recognised training qualifications. These figures are subject to constant change as the rollout progresses.
	Responsibility for ensuring that there are sufficient door supervisors to meet demand lies with the leisure industry and door supervisor providers. Under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, local authorities will be able to require that a specified number of SIA licensed door supervisors will be on duty at specified times as a condition of a premises licence. The SIA are continuing their communications campaigns to ensure the industry are aware of their responsibilities, and to encourage the highest level of participation in the scheme. With the SIA, we will monitor carefully the impact of licensing on the supply of door supervisors.

Speed Cameras

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fines were issued for speeding camera convictions in (a) Greater London and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Available information on the number of fixed penalties and court fines for the offence of 'speeding detected by camera' in the calendar years 1997 to 2001 is shown in the table for Greater London. It is not possible from the data collected centrally to identify each London Borough.
	Information for 2002 will be available in the Spring.
	
		Fines and fixed penalties data for speeding Offences detected by camera(28) , (29) within Greater London(30), 1997—2001
		
			  Total fined atall courts Fixed Penalty Notices issued 
		
		
			 1997 2,500 15,300 
			 1998 2,900 14,200 
			 1999 2,600 13,000 
			 2000 2,200 44,100 
			 2001 4,500 52,100 
		
	
	(28) Automatic cameras until 1998, all camera types from 1999
	(29) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	(30) The Metropolitan and City of London police combined.
	(31) Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.

Telecommunications Masts

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the advice given in PPG8: Telecommunications, that where proposals to locate telecommunications masts meet with the standards of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, it should not be necessary for a local planning authority to consider further health effects of the proposal.

Keith Hill: I have been asked to reply.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister receives many representations on matters relating to the telecommunications industry. The information about representations and responses to such representations is not readily available in the breakdown requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Traffic Wardens

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic wardens were operating in police authority areas in each of the last 15 years, listed in descending order according to the biggest disparity between the first and last year.

Caroline Flint: The number of traffic wardens employed by each of the police authorities in England and Wales for the last four years is given in the table, which also shows the percentage increase or decrease in numbers between the first and last years. Figures for the years prior to 1999–2000 are not recorded centrally.
	Under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1991, local authorities can apply for parking restrictions in their areas to be decriminalised and enforced by the authority under civil law. Many have now done so, and this has helped lead to a marked decline in traffic warden numbers.
	
		Selected IndicatorsTraffic Wardens
		
			  Percentage 
			 Values 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Decrease Increase 
		
		
			 Forces   
			 Dorset 41 37 12 0 100  
			 North Yorkshire 19 12 10 0 100  
			 Cumbria 6 0 0 0 100  
			 Kent 1 0 0 0 100  
			 Bedfordshire 9 3 3 2 77.7  
			 Essex 102 82 59 38 62.7  
			 Staffordshire 24 17 12 10 58.3  
			 West Midlands 175 128 78 74 57.7  
			 Northamptonshire 16 11 7 7 56.2  
			 Wiltshire 15 7 7 7 53.5  
			 Hampshire 53 53 31 25 52.8 
			 Merseyside 106 93 63 52 50.9  
			 Nottinghamshire 58 39 30 29 50  
			 West Mercia 30 23 21 15 50  
			 Lancashire 94 87 84 50 46.8  
			 Cleveland 13 10 12 7 46.1  
			 Sussex 110 98 62 61 44.5  
			 North Wales 12 12 8 7 41.7  
			 Durham 22 19 19 15 31.8  
			 Thames Valley 58 45 51 42 27.5  
			 Avon and Somerset 59 48 44 43 27.1  
			 Cheshire 25 20 20 19 24  
			 Suffolk 31 29 29 25 19.3  
			 Metropolitan Police 817 689 632 687 15.9  
			 Northumbria 70 72 71 59 15.7  
			 West Yorkshire 116 107 99 98 15.5  
			 Norfolk 37 33 34 33 12.1  
			 Gloucestershire 35 30 30 31 11.4  
			 Gwent 30 28 28 27 10  
			 South Yorkshire 62 71 77 68 9.6  
			 Humberside 53 51 51 48 9.4  
			 Leicestershire 67 65 72 61 8.9  
			 Greater Manchester 96 88 87 88 8.3  
			 Hertfordshire 38 45 42 35 7.8  
			 Dyfed-Powys 14 15 12 13 7.1  
			 Surrey 16 25 20 17 6.3  
			 Devon and Cornwall 119 110 101 103 5.1  
			 Derbyshire 50 44 50 48 4  
			 South Wales 100 104 100 99 1  
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 — 
			 Cambridgeshire 35 38 36 35 0 — 
			 Lincolnshire 20 21 21 21 — 5 
			 Warwickshire 8 9 9 9 — 12.5

TRANSPORT

Aircraft Security

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to protect British civil aircraft from man-portable projectile attack.

Tony McNulty: Terrorist threats, including from man-portable air defence systems (MANPADs), are assessed on a continual basis and appropriate counter-measures are developed and reviewed accordingly. For the MANPAD threat this includes work on both ground-based and on-board security measures. It would not be appropriate on security grounds to disclose details about this work.

Chorley Transport Interchange

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much Government funding was provided for the building of the Chorley transport interchange.

Tony McNulty: The total Government borrowing approval provided to build the Chorley transport interchange was £3,731,000.
	This includes the two separate contracts for the new Chorley bus interchange (£3.267million) and the refurbishment of Chorley railway station (£464,000).

Cycling

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much the Department spent on the promotion of cycle helmets in each of the last five years; and what assessment has been made of the cost-benefit achieved in terms of injuries prevented from (a) helmets and (b) other methods of reducing risk to cyclists;
	(2)  what monitoring methods are used to assess the effectiveness of cycle helmets in reducing the (a) number and (b) severity of head injuries; and whether these methods would detect changes in the number and severity of head injuries arising from increased use of cycle helmets.

David Jamieson: Since the creation of the Department for Transport in May 2002, the following has been spent on cycle safety campaigns, which include the promotion of cycle helmet wearing.
	2002–03
	'Cyclesmart' campaign, targeting 7–11 year olds.
	£19,630
	'Cyclesense' campaign, targeting teenage boys
	£25,480
	2003–04
	'Cyclesmart' campaign
	£26,450
	'Cyclesense' campaign
	£136,550
	My Department commissioned research on the effectiveness of cycle helmets, including the relative risk of injury to cyclists with and without helmets, by way of a literature review, and this was published in November 2002 (Road Safety Research Report No.30), a copy of which was placed in the Library. The conclusion from the review was that helmets have been found to be effective at reducing the incidence and severity of head, brain and upper facial injury, particularly for children. A fully quantified cost benefit review comparing the effectiveness of helmets and other methods of reducing risk to cyclists is not possible since many measures, such as education, training and publicity, are not fully quantifiable. The Department therefore pursues a comprehensive package of measures. This is proving effective, and deaths and serious injuries to cyclists in 2002 were 34 per cent. down compared with the 1994–98 baseline for our Road Safety Strategy.
	Our casualty data does not allow us to monitor the number and severity of head injuries due to increased use of helmets because it does not identify injury by specific parts of the body. However, in addition to the periodic monitoring we carry out of the wearing rates for cycling helmets, we plan to initiate further research to explore the possible relationship between cycling casualties and cycling levels to throw further light on this subject.

Cycling

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to encourage cycling in the City of Hereford; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We have allocated Herefordshire Council just over £11 million to spend on local transport schemes throughout the district in 2004–05 under the Council's Local Transport Plan (LTP) which includes measures to increase cycle usage. The Council's last annual progress report on its LTP showed a 4.8 per cent. increase in cycling in 2002–03. Hereford is also one of the seven shortlisted towns looking for support from the Department for a sustainable travel town initiative. Two towns will soon be selected to apply a package of measures to promote not only cycling, but also walking and public transport. We have budgeted £7.5 million for this initiative, which will run for five years.

Dibden Bay Container Port

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2004, Official Report, column 529W, on the Dibden Bay container port proposal and the New Forest National Park proposal, for what reason he declined to state whether or not he would make it his policy not to announce his decision on the port before the result of the public inquiry into the National Park is known; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The answer I gave on 26 February 2004, Official Report, column 529W, stated that the publication of the report of the public inquiry into the proposal for the creation of a New Forest National Park was a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
	A decision on the proposal for a new container port at Dibden Bay must be taken under a different statutory process and the timing of an announcement should therefore be separate from that for an announcement on a national park. It would not be appropriate to make it a policy not to announce a decision on the port before publication of the New Forest inquiry report. Issues relating to the proposals for the creation of a New Forest National Park were addressed at the public inquiry into proposals for a container port at Dibden Bay.

Integrated Kent Franchise

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the passenger usage data for (a) Faversham, (b) Selling, (c) Lenham, (d) Harrietsham and (e) Hollingbourne that the Strategic Rail Authority used in the consultation document on the Integrated Kent franchise for Faversham.

Tony McNulty: The figures in the table are expressed as passenger journeys per day, using data for the year ending March 2003, and are based on ticket sales for journeys which either start, finish or interchange at the stations concerned.
	
		Passenger data for year ending March 2003
		
			  Ticket sales  
		
		
			 Faversham 5,205 
			 Selling 173 
			 Lenham 459 
			 Harrietsham 180 
			 Hollingbourne 105 
		
	
	Source:
	South Eastern Trains

Local Authority Grants (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what grants were awarded by his Department to local authorities in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley in each of the last three financial years that fall outside the revenue support grant.

Tony McNulty: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions on 1 March 2004, Official Report, column 749W.

Port Security

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to (i) screen incoming cargo containers for chemical and biological agents and (ii) make available radiation detectors at ports.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is responsible for protective security. I am the Minister responsible for HM Customs and Excise who are primarily responsible for screening cargo entering the United Kingdom. Customs work closely with the Home Office and the Police on security at ports.
	Incoming cargo is screened for a variety of illicit materials. The Government does not give detailed information about these procedures as this information may be useful to terrorists. In this connection Exemptions 1, 4 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information apply. Following the announcement of new funds for counter-terrorism measures which the Chancellor made in last year's Budget (HC 500), Customs and the Home Office will be wording together to deploy screening equipment at UK points of entry to detect the illicit importation of radioactive materials.

Railways

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to relieve overcrowding on services operated by (a) South Central and (b) Thameslink.

Tony McNulty: Under the Strategic Rail Authority's new franchise agreement with Go Via, capacity will be increased when a new fleet of trains is provided on South Central services from 2005. The two-year extension of the Thameslink franchise, effective from 1 April 2004, incorporates an option to provide additional capacity and services primarily on the Wimbledon loop where the route is most constrained. This proposal is subject to securing additional rolling stock and meeting value for money and affordability considerations.

Railways

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how his Department defines overcrowding in respect of rail travel.

Tony McNulty: There is no definition for crowding on the railways. However, all rail operators are required to provide a frequency of service and adequate capacity to prevent excessive crowding and to have in place strategies for dealing with regular systematic crowding when it occurs.

Railways

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway carriages which could be returned to passenger use are in storage; where they are being stored; and what instructions he has given to the Strategic Railway Authority regarding the disposal of railway carriages which have the potential for re-use.

Tony McNulty: Carriages capable of reuse are principally those being replaced by new trains on cross country and the west coast main line. Primary responsibility for deciding their future use, if any, lies with their owners and operators. However, the Strategic Rail Authority's Rolling Stock Strategy encourages the cascading of surplus carriages to other uses and there have already been cases where this has happened. The number in storage at any one time fluctuates as vehicles are progressively withdrawn from service and others are redeployed or scrapped.

Railways

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a statement on proposals for a crossing of the railway line at Beddingham on the A27.

Tony McNulty: I announced the decision on the final proposals for the Southerham to Beddington stretch of the A27 yesterday. The hon. Gentleman and other interested parties were informed in the usual manner.

Railways

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will allow regional passenger transport authorities to bid to run franchises.

Tony McNulty: Passenger Transport Authorities as local authorities are precluded from being franchisees by Section 25 of the Railways Act 1993. Only where a rail network has been designated as exempt from franchising, as with the Merseyrail network, can a Passenger Transport Authority be considered to run services on that network. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in his statement to the House on 19 January that the current rail review would consider the scope for devolving more decision-making to the Passenger Transport Executives.

Road Haulage Forum

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of the road haulage forum.

David Jamieson: The road haulage forum will continue to meet as long as all sides think it worthwhile. I expect the next meeting to be in April.

Road Scheme Funding

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what monitoring systems exist to ensure that funds allocated to local authorities for road improvement and maintenance schemes are not used for other purposes.

Tony McNulty: Integrated Transport block and maintenance allocations are issued as part of the Single Capital Pot and are unringfenced to give authorities greater flexibility over how they spend their funds. Local authorities may spend the funding as they wish on the services they provide in line with local priorities and in order to deliver the targets in their local transport plans (LTPs). When we are considering future capital allocations for local authorities, one of the factors taken into account is how local authorities have spent their LTP allocations and their performance in delivering their targets.
	The Chief Finance Officer of each local authority is required to complete an audit form each year to confirm what LTP resources have been used in the previous financial year. These returns are audited by the Audit Commission.

Road Transport Directive

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedures he plans to introduce to facilitate enforcement of the Road Transport Directive in respect of drivers of foreign registered vehicles operating in the United Kingdom.

David Jamieson: Our approach to enforcing the Road Transport Directive is outlined in our consultation document, which was published on 21 October 2003 and entitled "Consultation on the UK's proposal for implementing the Working Time Directive for mobile workers in the Road Transport Sector". A copy is available in the House Libraries, or can be downloaded from the DfT website at www.dft.gov.uk/freight/rtd.
	My officials are presently analysing replies from the consultation exercise and we should be able to announce the results and our approach to enforcement very shortly.

Transport Action Clean-up Programme

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding has been (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on the Transport Action Clean-Up programme in each financial year since 2001–02; and what the budget is for 2004–05.

David Jamieson: The CleanUp programme is one of the Transport Energy programmes administered by the Energy Saving Trust (others include Powershift and the New Vehicle Technology Fund). As such, funding for CleanUp must be balanced against requirements for all the Transport Energy programmes. In total, the DfT allocated £26 million to these three programmes in 2003–4 and has committed the same amount for 2004–5. Grant and budget funding allocated to the CleanUp programme since 2001–2 is shown in the table.
	
		£ million
		
			  Clear up grants budget Clear up grants actual 
		
		
			 2001–2 8.0 7.4 
			 2002–3 10.0 8.4 
			 2003–4 9.0 13.0 
			 2004–5 7.0 n/a 
		
	
	To meet the increase in demand in 2003–4, the Trust has redirected funding from marketing and promotional activities to help meet the additional spend on grants.

Speed Cameras

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines he issues regarding the positioning of speed cameras, with particular reference to mobile speed cameras.

David Jamieson: The 'Handbook of rules and guidance for the operation of the national road safety camera programme for England and Wales', deals with the positioning of fixed and mobile speed cameras. Copies were placed in the Libraries of the House on 5 December 2003.

Websites

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost in (a) financial and (b) other terms was in (i) each financial year since 1997 and (ii) 2003–04 until the latest date for which figures are available of (A) developing and (B) maintaining (1) his Department's website and (2) each website for which his Department is responsible; and how many (C) unique hosts and (D) hits there were in each month for each website in (iii) each financial year since 1997 and (iv) 2003–04 until the latest date for which numbers are available.

Tony McNulty: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The details in this response refer to the Department for Transport web site and associated web sites since late May 2002 when the Department came into existence. Similar details for previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Development costs are provided for all sites. Costs in 'other terms' by which we understand you to mean staff overheads cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
	In respect of (C) Unique hosts—we understand you to mean the number of 'hosting services' (virtual and dedicated) that we are contracted to use. The DfT is contracted to use one dedicated hosting service for all web sites referenced in this response.